St. John's Defeats Omaha, Set for Encounter with Arkansas

Rick Pitino led St. John's to a decisive 83-53 victory over Omaha in the first round of the NCAA tournament, marking the program's first tournament win since 2000. The win sets up a highly anticipated matchup against his longtime rival, John Calipari, whose Arkansas team also advanced after defeating Kansas. Pitino's Red Storm, who have shown strong performance throughout the season with a 31-4 record and a Big East championship, are looking to secure their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. Pitino, a Hall of Fame coach, has previously led six different programs to the NCAA tournament and is aiming for his third national championship. The upcoming game not only highlights the coaching rivalry but also serves as a significant moment for both coaches, each with a storied history in March Madness. The matchup will take place in Providence, where Pitino has strong local support, having previously led the Friars to the Final Four in 1987.