Standing in the middle of a sold-out Madison Square Garden, confetti sticking to his suit, Rick Pitino was asked about his remarkable basketball odyssey and latest Big East championship.“I saved the best for last,

Pitino maintained his innocence throughout that scandal, which included allegations that Adidas representatives funneled $100,000 to the family of a Louisville recruit. In November of 2022, Pitino was exonerated by the Independent Accountability Resolution Process (IARP).

While previewing the Red Storm's draw in the NCAA Tournament on Sunday, Pitino implored players and fans to "wave" as they passed the exit for UConn's campus on the drive north to Providence, where St. John's will take on the No. 15 seed Omaha to open the tourney.