The Brian Lehrer Show St. John's Basketball Wows
Mar 26, 2026
Katie Honan, St. John’s alum and reporter who’s a devoted fan, and Jason Gay, Wall Street Journal sports columnist and college basketball commentator. They celebrate St. John’s Sweet 16 run. They debate Rick Pitino’s coaching impact and controversial past. They unpack how the transfer portal and NIL reshaped roster building and team dynamics.
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Adaptability Drives St. John's Resurgence
- St. John's turnaround rests on adaptability to modern college basketball rules like the transfer portal and NIL.
- Jason Gay credits Rick Pitino's quick roster resets and targeting ready-made players for rapid competitiveness.
Longstanding Fanhood Rooted In Family
- Katie Honan traces her fandom to childhood with her father, not just college attendance.
- She was a Madison Square Garden season ticket holder and watched St. John's beat UConn twice this season.
Past Scandals Look Different In The NIL Era
- Rick Pitino's past scandals are framed as less foreign in today's legalized athlete compensation environment.
- Gay argues modern NIL and openness make some prior infractions feel dated compared with today's permissive norms.