Rick Pitino to Reunite with Iona in High-Energy Matchup
Two years after leaving St. John's for a coaching stint in Greece, Rick Pitino is set to return to his alma mater Iona on Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup.
The Gaels, who have been led by interim coach Dan Geriot since Pitino's departure, are off to an 8-3 start and are looking to make a statement against their former head coach. The two teams have one common opponent, Quinnipiac, which St. John's crushed in its opener but recently blasted Iona in New Rochelle.
"I have tremendous affection for Iona," Pitino said in a recent interview. "I said I would love to play you." The Red Storm coach expressed his enthusiasm for the matchup and hopes that the crowd will be electric. "I'm hoping the crowd is amazing so we can make it a holiday game every year."
The two teams have not played each other since 2017, when St. John's emerged victorious at the Garden. This year's matchup promises to be just as intense, with a crowd of at least 15,000 expected.
For Pitino, this reunion is more than just a coaching assignment – it's a chance to reconnect with his past and give back to the program that gave him so much. "The president called me [in the offseason] and asked me if Iona could get into the Garden," he recalled. "It's been a while since they played in the Garden, and I said, 'I would love to play you.'"
As the Red Storm prepare to take on their former head coach, fans are eagerly anticipating this high-energy matchup between two storied programs. With Pitino at the helm, expect the Gaels to bring their A-game, making for an exciting showdown that will be remembered for years to come.
Two years after leaving St. John's for a coaching stint in Greece, Rick Pitino is set to return to his alma mater Iona on Saturday in a highly anticipated matchup.
The Gaels, who have been led by interim coach Dan Geriot since Pitino's departure, are off to an 8-3 start and are looking to make a statement against their former head coach. The two teams have one common opponent, Quinnipiac, which St. John's crushed in its opener but recently blasted Iona in New Rochelle.
"I have tremendous affection for Iona," Pitino said in a recent interview. "I said I would love to play you." The Red Storm coach expressed his enthusiasm for the matchup and hopes that the crowd will be electric. "I'm hoping the crowd is amazing so we can make it a holiday game every year."
The two teams have not played each other since 2017, when St. John's emerged victorious at the Garden. This year's matchup promises to be just as intense, with a crowd of at least 15,000 expected.
For Pitino, this reunion is more than just a coaching assignment – it's a chance to reconnect with his past and give back to the program that gave him so much. "The president called me [in the offseason] and asked me if Iona could get into the Garden," he recalled. "It's been a while since they played in the Garden, and I said, 'I would love to play you.'"
As the Red Storm prepare to take on their former head coach, fans are eagerly anticipating this high-energy matchup between two storied programs. With Pitino at the helm, expect the Gaels to bring their A-game, making for an exciting showdown that will be remembered for years to come.
I'm so stoked for this game!!! Rick Pitino is gonna bring the energy and make it a holiday classic! Iona's been killing it since Dan Geriot took over, but with Pitino back in the mix, we're talking extra motivation and intensity! 
The Garden's gonna be electric with 15k+ fans cheering on both teams. I'm all about the Gaels taking down their old coach, though 
gotta love that underdog spirit! Can't wait to see this one go down! 
they have one of the most epic rivalries ever and now its like a whole new level 
i feel bad for Dan Geriot tho, he's been holding down the fort this whole time but im sure he'll crush it against St Johns on saturday 
I think it's fascinating how Rick Pitino is returning to his alma mater Iona, and I'm sure he'll definitely energize the crowd with his presence 
. The fact that he has such "tremendous affection" for the program shows how much this reunion means to him, and I appreciate his dedication to giving back to the institution that gave him so much 
. It's great to see a coach who truly values his roots, and I'm sure the Gaels will thrive under his guidance 
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Can you imagine how electric the crowd is gonna be when Rick Pitino walks into that Garden? I mean, I know it's been two years since he left Iona, but this dude's passion and love for the team are infectious! 
I mean don't get me wrong, Rick Pitino is a legend and all but it's like he's stuck in some kinda nostalgia loop, you feel? The Gaels are doing alright without him but now they're gonna have to step up their game because Rick's back 
. And can we talk about how weird it is that Iona's been out of the Garden for so long and then one day Pitino's all like "we gotta play there"? It's like he's trying to make a statement, but what does that even mean? 
can't wait to see how the Gaels do against their former coach 
. For the Gaels, this is more than just a win, it's an opportunity to prove themselves against one of the best coaches ever 
. Bring on the Red Storm vs Gaels showdown! 
. Rick Pitino might have been away from Iona for two years, but his passion and dedication to the program remain strong. This reunion is about giving back and making a statement on the court! The crowd is going to be electric, and with both teams playing at high energy, this matchup promises to be unforgettable 
my friend went to iona undergrad and hes super hyped for this game cant wait to see how it goes down pits always brings that high energy vibe to any matchup 
but idk how long he can keep his promise of makin it a holiday game every year tho 
. fans are hyped for this match, esp since it's been ages since they played each other 
. can't wait to see how it all goes down!
. Bring it on Iona, let's get this party started! 
. still, gotta respect the dude for bein willing to come back & give back 2 Iona 
. but let's not get too hyped here... it's just a basketball game