NEW YORK — As noon approached on a cold winter Saturday in Midtown Manhattan, the crowd packing Madison Square Garden perked up when Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” began to play in the World’s Most Famous Arena.
The star of this college basketball matinee had arrived.
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino, 72 and dapper as ever in a navy blue suit with white pocket square, appeared from the tunnel that led to the floor. The scene played out on the videoboard above the court for all to see as the chorus hit its crescendo.
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This is the Pitino Effect.
Midway through Pitino’s second year in charge, St. John’s basketball is an event
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