Despite a number of calls that didnt go St. Johns way, Rick Pitino declined to criticize the officiating.

Joel Soriano has not been at his best of late and really struggled in Tuesdays blowout loss at Seton Hall, managing just six points and four rebounds in 18 minutes along with a minus-31 rating.

The St. John's loss shouldve never come down to a final possession, but Daniss Jenkins still felt it was important to take accountability.

This had all the fixings of old-school Big East combat, a genuine rock fight at The Rock. Daniss Jenkins knocked down a long 3-point shot with 4 minutes and 33 seconds left in the first half, and the modest but audible red-clad portion of the gathering at Prudential Center allowed themselves a brief spasm of glee.

All along, St. John's and its believers had circled this stretch, understood we would learn so much about them as they stacked these eight games.

It was 80 hours St. Johns would like to forget. A last-second loss to No. 18 Creighton. A no-show at Seton Hall.

Seventeen years ago, Rick Pitino gave a young coach his first shot at the college level on the suggestion of one of his assistants.

Brady Dunlap had performed well in skill sessions and practices, earning the opportunity for St. John's. He showed why in a breakout performance.

Without the Rick Pitinto, who wasnt on the sideline due to a bout of COVID-19, St. John's didnt show up Tuesday night in an 80-65 beatdown to Seton Hall at Prudential Center.