Rick Pitino’s Decision to Bench RJ Luis Sparks Debate in St. John’s NCAA Exit

On March 22, 2025, St. John’s University suffered a stunning 75-66 defeat to No. 10 seed Arkansas in the NCAA Tournament’s second round, ending a season that had promised so much under head coach Rick Pitino. The No. 2-seeded Red Storm, riding a 31-5 record and their first outright Big East regular-season title since 1985, were favored to advance. Yet, the game’s defining moment—and the ensuing controversy—centered on Pitino’s decision to bench Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. for the final 4:56, a move that has left fans, analysts, and the college basketball world questioning the legendary coach’s judgment.

A Season of Triumph Meets a Sudden End

Pitino, in his second year at St. John’s, had transformed the program into a powerhouse. The Red Storm’s 31 wins, Big East Tournament championship, and No. 2 seed reflected a resurgence not seen in Queens since the Lou Carnesecca era. At the heart of this success was RJ Luis Jr., a junior wing whose 18.5 points per game earned him Big East Player of the Year honors and a second-team All-American nod. His 29-point, 10-rebound performance in the Big East Tournament final against Seton Hall cemented his status as the team’s offensive linchpin.

Against Arkansas, however, St. John’s faltered. Facing John Calipari’s scrappy Razorbacks, the Red Storm shot a dismal 28% from the field and 9.1% (2-of-22) from three. Luis struggled too, finishing with 9 points on 3-of-17 shooting. Still, with 4:56 left and St. John’s trailing 64-62 after Luis sank two free throws, the game was within reach. Then, inexplicably, Pitino pulled him. Luis never returned, and Arkansas outscored St. John’s 11-4 down the stretch, sealing the upset.

The Controversial Call

Pitino’s post-game explanation did little to quell the uproar. When Newsday’s Roger Rubin pressed him on why Luis sat during such a critical juncture, Pitino snapped, “He played 30 minutes. That’s a long time.” Asked if Luis was tired, he retorted, “No. Played 30 minutes, and I went with other people. You already know the answers, Roger.” He later pointed to Luis’s poor shooting and the team’s lack of ball movement, saying, “We did not share the basketball enough, and that was our demise.” Yet, his vague reasoning—opting for “other people” without elaboration—left many scratching their heads.

The decision baffled observers for several reasons. At that moment, St. John’s was two points down with nearly five minutes to play—hardly a time to abandon your best player. Luis, despite his off night, remained the team’s most dynamic scorer, capable of drawing defenders and creating opportunities. Without him, St. John’s offense sputtered, missing eight of their final nine shots. Social media erupted, with fans labeling the move “criminal” and “atrocious,” while analysts like ESPN’s Jay Bilas questioned Pitino’s endgame strategy.

Hindsight:

Benching Luis wasn’t just a tactical misstep—it flew in the face of a fundamental sports principle: in the biggest moments, your best players need to be on the floor, no matter what. Luis wasn’t just a role player; he was the Big East Player of the Year, the heart of St. John’s resurgence. Even on a night when his shots weren’t falling, his presence alone could have altered Arkansas’s defensive focus, opening lanes for teammates like Kadary Richmond or Deivon Smith. Great players rise to the occasion—or at least get the chance to. By sitting Luis, Pitino denied him that opportunity and, in turn, crippled his team’s chances.

Basketball history is littered with examples of stars playing through slumps to deliver in the clutch—think Michael Jordan’s “Flu Game” or Kobe Bryant’s 81-point night despite early struggles. Luis, at 21, may not be a legend yet, but his season-long brilliance earned him the right to fight through adversity. Pitino’s choice signaled a lack of faith in his star, a message that reverberated beyond the scoreboard. In a win-or-go-home tournament game, a team’s best player belongs in the action, not on the bench, regardless of the stat line.

A Transformative Year, Not Defined by One Moment

Still, this single decision shouldn’t overshadow the remarkable turnaround St. John’s achieved in 2025. Pitino, at 72, took a program long dormant and delivered 31 wins, a Big East title, and a return to national relevance. RJ Luis Jr. and his teammates exceeded all expectations, bringing pride back to Queens. Yes, it’s unfortunate that Pitino’s call to bench Luis in crunch time likely cost them a deeper tournament run, and he should own that misstep. But what a year it was for the Red Storm—a testament to the grit of those kids and the vision of their coach. One tough night in March doesn’t erase a season of brilliance.