Zuby Ejiofor's Phyiscal Play Against UConn Landed Him on Gus Johnson’s ‘GOT IT’ Team
#Zuby Ejiofor #St. John's Red Storm #Rick Pitino #UConn Huskies #Gus Johnson #Big East Basketball #Career Wins #Madison Square Garden
📌 Key Takeaways
- Zuby Ejiofor led No. 22 St. John's to an 81-72 upset over No. 3 UConn with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
- The performance earned Ejiofor a spot on Gus Johnson's 'Got It' team for his physical dominance and versatility.
- Head coach Rick Pitino recorded his 903rd career win, tying Roy Williams for third place on the all-time wins list.
- The victory serves as a major 'resume-stamping' win for the Red Storm as they eye a deep postseason run.
📖 Full Retelling
St. John’s forward Zuby Ejiofor delivered a career-defining performance to lead the No. 22 Red Storm to a 81-72 upset victory over No. 3 UConn at Madison Square Garden on February 23, 2025, solidifying his reputation as one of the most physical forces in college basketball. The sophomore big man significantly bolstered his team's postseason resume while earning a prestigious spot on FOX Sports announcer Gus Johnson’s honorary 'Got It' team, a distinction reserved for players who demonstrate exceptional grit and dominance during high-stakes broadcasts. Ejiofor’s relentless energy in the paint was the driving force behind the victory, as he filled the stat sheet with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and a surprising seven assists.
Throughout the contest, Ejiofor served as the focal point of Rick Pitino's offense and defense, consistently making momentum-shifting plays and neutralizing the Huskies' frontcourt. His playmaking ability was on full display when he found Bryce Hopkins for a critical 3-pointer to extend the lead to double digits midway through the second half. Later, as UConn attempted a late-game surge, Ejiofor quelled the comeback with a difficult hook shot over Tarris Reed Jr. and a crucial assist to Dillon Mitchell after securing an offensive board. After the game, Ejiofor attributed the victory to a collective 'will to win,' praising his teammates and the coaching staff for their preparation against the defending champions.
The triumph also marked a historic milestone for St. John’s legendary head coach Rick Pitino, who secured his 903rd career victory with the win. This achievement moves Pitino into a tie with former North Carolina coach Roy Williams for the third-most wins in Division I men’s college basketball history. Following the game, Ejiofor highlighted the significance of the win, noting that taking down a powerhouse like UConn was the perfect way for Pitino to climb the all-time wins list. The Red Storm’s cohesive effort, which included clutch shots from Dylan Darling and efficient rebounding from Mitchell, suggests the team is peaking as the conference tournament approaches.
🏷️ Themes
College Basketball, Sports Milestones, Athletic Excellence
📚 Related People & Topics
Rick Pitino
American basketball coach (born 1952)
Richard Andrew Pitino (; born September 18, 1952) is an American basketball coach who is the head men's basketball coach at St. John's University. He was also the head coach of Greece's senior national team.
Zuby Ejiofor
American basketball player
Zuby Ejiofor (born April 20, 2004) is an American college basketball player for the St. John's Red Storm. He previously played for the Kansas Jayhawks.
UConn Huskies
College athletic program of the University of Connecticut, US
The UConn Huskies (or Connecticut Huskies) are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Connecticut, with its main campus located in Storrs, Connecticut. The school is a member of the NCAA's Division I and the Big East Conference. The university's athletic teams mainly pla...
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- 👤 Richard Pitino (1 shared articles)
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📄 Original Source Content
Zuby Ejiofor brought the fight and imposed his will in the paint, impressing FOX Sports play-by-play announcer Gus Johnson with his physicality. He lifted No. 22 St. John's to an 81-72 win against No. 3 UConn, and earned himself a spot on Johnson's "GOT It" team. "Zuby dooby doo!" Johnson exclaimed. "Zuby Ejiofor, what a game tonight! You just did it. Scoring the ball. On the boards. Blocking shots. Seven assists as well." Ejiofor scored 21 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and tossed seven assists, helping the Red Storm earn a resume-stamping victory. He found guard/forward Bryce Hopkins for a 3-pointer to put St. John's ahead by 10 points with 13 minutes left. He corralled an offensive rebound and fed a cutting forward Dillon Mitchell for an easy deuce to help quench UConn's surge. He scored a hook shot over Tarris Reed Jr. that gave the Red Storm a seven-point lead with 2:30 left. "I would not lose," Ejiofor said. "I would not lose. And I think that's the mindset of the rest of my teammates, and the coaching staff did a phenomenal job getting us ready for this game. It's my will to not lose." Ejiofor's teammates followed his lead. Point guard Dylan Darling pulled up for a clutch left-wing 3-pointer. Mitchell skied for an important put-back layup. "You can go down the list of guys that have made a huge impact in this game," Ejiofor said. "We came in with the mentality that we were gonna do whatever it takes to win this game. And that's exactly what we did." St. John's win gave head coach Rick Pitino 903 for his career, and moved him into a tie with former UNC coach Roy Williams for third most wins among college basketball coaches. Pitino earned his 900th win against Xavier on Jan. 26., beating his son Richard Pitino and the Musketeers. He's continued to build from there. "He deserves it," Ejiofor said. "He's been doing this for a long time, and you know, what a great matchup, what a way to become the third winningest coach by taking down UConn."