Rick Pitino takes blame for St. John's dreadful performance in historic loss to UConn: 'It's all on me'
CBS Sports
by
Cameron Salerno
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Rick Pitino took full responsibility for St. John's historic 72-40 loss to UConn, calling it one of the most lopsided defeats in his coaching career. The Red Storm struggled offensively, failing to score a field goal in the final 17 minutes and recording their lowest point total since 2013. With a shooting percentage of just 16.7% on 2-pointers, St. John's faced its worst offensive performance by a top-15 team in over two decades. Pitino emphasized that the blame lay solely with him, acknowledging the team’s failure to execute their usual offensive strategies. Despite the setback, he remained focused on the bigger picture, stating that the Big East championship was still within reach.
The loss marked a significant drop for St. John's, which had previously been riding a 13-game winning streak and held a strong 15-1 record in conference play. The team’s offensive collapse, including missing 24 consecutive field goals in the second half, was unprecedented. Pitino admitted that he would need to make adjustments but remained confident in his team's ability to bounce back. He briefly addressed reporters after the game, reiterating that the loss was "all on him" and expressing a commitment to moving forward.
The defeat has raised questions about the factors contributing to St. John’s poor performance, with Pitino suggesting that external factors like the UConn crowd may have played a role. However, he ultimately pointed to his team's inability to execute their game plan as the primary issue. The Red Storm now face critical games against Villanova, Georgetown, and Seton Hall, with the potential to clinch a share of the Big East regular season title still within reach.
This loss underscores the challenges even the most successful teams can face, highlighting the importance of consistent performance under pressure. For sports fans and analysts, the situation offers insight into coaching strategies, team dynamics, and the ability to adapt after significant setbacks. Pitino’s accountability reflects a leadership style that prioritizes transparency and responsibility in
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/26/2026