The Duke Blue Devils are chasing another championship run, but ahead of their Sweet 16 matchup, Rick Pitino made it clear this game carries more than just tournament stakes.
More than three decades after one of the most iconic finishes in NCAA Tournament history, Pitino hasn’t forgotten what happened the last time he faced Duke — and he isn’t shying away from it now.
As his St. John’s Red Storm prepare to face the Blue Devils in the Sweet 16, Pitino acknowledged that one of the most iconic — and painful — moments of his career continues to resonate.
“You win some, you lose some,” Pitino said. “And I’m hoping we can get Duke at the buzzer next to make up for that Christian Laettner shot.”
The reference needs no explanation in college basketball circles. Christian Laettner’s turnaround jumper at the buzzer in the 1992 Elite Eight lifted Duke past Pitino’s Kentucky team and into the Final Four, cementing a game widely regarded as one of the greatest in NCAA Tournament history.
For Pitino, it was the other side of March Madness immortality — a loss that never fully fades.
Now, more than 30 years later, he finds himself back on the same stage, facing the same program, with a chance to add a different ending.
St. John’s Surges Into the Spotlight
St. John’s arrives in Washington riding one of the hottest stretches in college basketball.
The Red Storm punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 with a dramatic win over the Kansas Jayhawks, sealed by Dylan Darling’s unforgettable buzzer-beating layup.
Darling, who had not made a field goal all game, delivered the defining moment — his only basket of the night — to send St. John’s to its first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999.
The scene was pure March Madness: teammates sprinting onto the floor, a bench erupting, and a program rediscovering its place on the national stage.
For Pitino, the moment carried added weight.
“I’ve been on both sides of it — winning and losing at the buzzer,” Pitino said. “For a player today, with all the scrutiny, to want the ball when he’s shooting terrible… it just speaks volumes about what he’s about — confidence.”
History Meets Momentum
The parallels between past and present are difficult to ignore.
In 1992, Pitino watched a season end on a last-second shot.
In 2026, his team advanced because of one.
That contrast adds another layer to a matchup already rich with intrigue.
Duke enters as the No. 1 overall seed, carrying both talent and expectation. The Blue Devils have been among the most consistent teams in the country and are widely viewed as a championship favorite.
St. John’s, meanwhile, has surged into contention, winning 21 of its last 22 games while capturing both the Big East regular-season and tournament titles.
It’s a collision of momentum and pedigree — of a program rediscovering itself and one that has long defined success.
Pitino’s Message: Stay Present
Despite the emotional undercurrent, Pitino has made it clear that his focus remains firmly on the task ahead.
“We’re going to play Duke with our hearts out and be real proud of what we’ve accomplished,” he said. “But don’t embrace anything that’s happened. Get ready for Duke.”
It was an even-keeled message that reflects the discipline of a coach who has seen nearly everything the sport can offer — triumph, heartbreak and everything in between.
A Chance to Rewrite the Ending
For Duke, the game represents another step in a championship pursuit.
For Pitino, it’s something more layered — a return to a familiar opponent tied to one of the defining moments of his career.
But this time, the opportunity is different.
The stakes are the same. The stage is the same. The opponent is the same.
Only the ending remains unwritten.
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