St. John's basketball tipped off one of its most highly-anticipated seasons yet Monday. Rick Pitino coached the Red Storm to their first outright Big East title in 25 years last year. But he's unafraid to dish out honesty to his players, especially after beating Quinnipiac Monday.

The NCAA Tournament team of last year routed the Bobcats 108-74 — scoring 54 points in both halves. Five players hit double figures in scoring.

That type of rout will leave fans believing St. John's looked like the No. 5 team in the nation. Except Pitino handed them a blunt grade via SNY TV's Niki Lattarulo.

“I'm a tough grader, so I give them a ‘B,'” Pitino said. “I thought our mentally was great. I attribute this good play tonight to the Towson and Michigan exhibition games. We were nervous in the Tow

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