Before he raised expectations for St. John's and delivered the best season for the Red Storm in 40 years, Rick Pitino returned to college basketball by coaching Iona for three seasons, going 64-22 while reaching a pair of NCAA Tournaments.

Pitino is eight games into his third season with St. John's, and the 22nd-ranked Red Storm play host to Iona on Saturday afternoon after delivering one of their best defensive performances of the season while also struggling significantly on offense.

"I have tremendous affection for Iona, and I told them: 'I'd love to play you.' I'm hoping that the crowd is amazing so we can make it like a holiday game every year," Pitino said Thursday.

St. John's (5-3) was ranked No. 5 in the AP Top 25 preseason poll, but losses to Alabama, Iowa State and Auburn caus

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