Make way for the Red Storm.
As the NCAA National Championship, otherwise known as March Madness, starts this Sunday the 16th. How is this seasons most impressive underdog stacking up.
St. Johns University is a private catholic university in New York City. Though not a typical name in NCAA history, this year things may look bright for the underdog team. Since it’s creation in 1907 the team has never won a NCAA Championship and has only been a runner up once, in 1952. However legendary former coach of UofL and UK, Rick Pitino began coaching the red storm in 2023 leading to a complete rework of the team strategy and skill. Under Pitino’s leadership the team has gone from a NCAA afterthought the team with the largest win record this season. They recently secured their first Big East Tournament title in 25 years, defeating Creighton 82-66 in the championship game
This year the Red Storm has won the number one spot in the big east conference. Sporting a 30-4 win-loss record for the season. As well as achieving a position of 6th in the league according to a poll by the Associated Press. The underdog team is not only a surefire candidate for the bracket but many bracketologist consider them a shoe-in for March Madness champion.
Despite his reputation as one of the greatest coaches in Basketball history, many fans find Pitino’s return to the court distasteful after his departure from UofL after a string of various scandals including, hiring prostitutes and escorts for his players, taking bribes from the Adidas shoe company in exchange for giving a wealthy student a position on the team, and an extortion scandal from a woman he had an affair with, all of which led to his resignation from the UofL head coach position.
Some notable players include RJ Luis Jr. who led the team with an average of 18.4 points per game. He was named Big East Player of the Year and was a semifinalist for the Naismith National Player of the Year award. And Zuby Ejiofor who averaged 8.0 rebounds per game and was recognized as the Big East’s Most Improved Player.
My personal prediction has them winning the entire championship, because everyone loves a good underdog story.
