Rick Pitino last beat the UConn men's basketball team in 2014 and has yet to beat Dan Hurley, but St. John's is riding high as it visits Friday.

St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, 72 and dapper as ever in a navy blue suit with white pocket square, appeared from the tunnel that led to the floor. The scene played out on the videoboard above the court for all to see as the chorus hit its crescendo. This is the Pitino Effect.

There was a celebration on the MSG floor when the clock hit triple zeroes and St. John’s had escaped with a victory Saturday afternoon. Inside the Johnnies locker room, though, Rick Pitino took