I think politics come into play, and I think Pitino gets it. I also think Pitino is a shady fellow, wouldn't put it past him to call him favors to feed his ego. Pitino did a great job, but it's a job he's done over much of his career. It's not like the guys he has couldn't play, and he lucked out with how ready Gorgui Dieng was.
St. John's is winning with Hardy and smoke and mirrors. That's a damned coach of the year job by Lavin.