Rick Pitino was facing a familiar foe on Saturday with 2-seed St. John’s facing John Calipari and 10-seed Arkansas. That matchup delivered another great showdown between the head coaching legends, but it did not go Pitino’s way.
In the end, a game that was mired by some questionable officiating (the two teams were whistled for 44 total fouls) resulted in a 75-66 win for the Razorbacks. They advance to their first Sweet 16 since 2023 and the first for Calipari on an individual basis since 2019 when he was at Kentucky.
However, a major storyline of the game proved to be the play of St. John’s star RJ Luis. The Big East Player of the Year, Luis was the leading scorer for the Red Storm at 18.5 points per game, but he struggled mightily against Arkansas.
Luis was held to 9 points on 3-for-17 shooting, a disastrous result for the star. But it was made even more interesting by Pitino’s decision to sit Luis with around 5 minutes left to play in the contest. The CBS broadcast team was incredulous at Pitino’s decision to keep Luis on the bench in the closing minutes, especially with the game still within reach until the final moments of the game.
To be fair, Luis was undoubtedly struggling, but it’s not often you see a star player and leading scorer left on the bench in those kinds of situations, including a clutch March Madness moment. It will be interesting to see if Pitino addresses that late-game absence, but social media sounded off on the move.
Take a look:
Can’t wait to hear what Rick Pitino says about RJ Luis not playing the last 5 minutes. Unforgivable if you ask me.
— ??2️⃣? (@rushellwhite) March 22, 2025Rick Pitino benching RJ Luis is the dumbest decision I’ve ever seen.
— Genetedaer (@genetedaer) March 22, 2025Im still shocked Rick Pitino chose to keep RJ Luis on the bench down the stretch.
— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) March 22, 2025Steve Lappas (who I like as an analyst) is apoplectic about Rick Pitino's endgame handling of RJ Luis.
— Jerry Carino (@NJHoopsHaven) March 22, 2025Rick Pitino pushed the wrong buttons today: Including sitting RJ Luis, his All-American & Big East POTY, for the final 5 minutes today.Backfired. Idc how bad he was shooting. He's your best player. Nobody else but Zuby could make shots. Cost the Johnnies their season t.co/6BjYtl6JDL
— Pat Boyle (@PatBoyle44) March 22, 2025Rick Pitino benching RJ Luis who’s there best player is crazy. Even if he’s been terrible today
— Noah ? (@NoahF31511) March 22, 2025Bracket dead, champion out. Rick pitino not playing rj Luis at the end of that game is criminal. Yet again march has defeated me I’ll see you next year
— Matthew Nadeau (@mnadeau2001) March 22, 2025Rick Pitino needs to be fired for sitting his best player down when it counted most. I know RJ Luis didn't have a good game, but you definitely don't ever bench your best guy down 2 with 5 mins left. Insane! #firepitino #ncaa
— Ryan (@KellzNCaLi) March 22, 2025Arkansas advances to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five years and their first in John Calipari’s first year St. John’s incredible season ends in Rick Pitino’s second year but RJ Luis Jr sitting in the final minutes will be questioned despite nine points on 3-of-17 FG
— Ron Carthen (@rcarthen) March 22, 2025Rick Pitino was trying to teach RJ Luis (Big East Player of the year) a lesson by sitting him in the final five minutes of the game. But, It was in the second round game of March Madness. Okay Rick. ???
— KATO? Pick? (@KatosPicks) March 22, 2025Rick Pitino eviscerated by fans, media for for sitting RJ Luis late in loss to Arkansas Saturday Down South.
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