You'd have to catch me off the record to answer that question. The implication was clear: Now that every school can pay players -- either through direct revenue share or name, image and likeness dollars -- Big Ten schools are no longer disadvantaged in recruiting by everything from booster bag men to shoe company AAU connections.
St. John's basketball ranks ninth all-time in NCAA Division I wins with 1,973 and has appeared in 32 NCAA Tournaments, achieving nine Sweet 16s and two Final Fours.
Just tried to be a voice and resource. Talking to the staff, I talked to Jon every other day. Players on the team would reach out. Just being an extended resource to the team and the guys that had any questions.
Rick Pitino has signed a new deal with St. John's University, extending his contract through the 2029-30 season and receiving a significant pay increase. His leadership has transformed the program, leading to a 20-13 record in his first season and a remarkable 31-5 record in 2024-25, which included winning both the regular season and Big East Tournament titles.
UConn is outscoring opponents by 37.8 points per game with a +1435 scoring differential overall. It puts up 87.9 points per game, second in college basketball, and gives up 50.1 per contest, first in college basketball.
When people think about Larry Bird, they think, 'Well he must have been an instant success, he must have been an instant star. He certainly was in the NCAA Tournament and played on national TV [right away].' All of those things are false. There is a very real reality in some alternative universe where Larry Bird doesn't become a basketball star at all.