Rick Pitino is calling on the fan base to make St. John’s senior night a memorable evening.
Multiple times since Saturday’s rout of Villanova, the Hall of Fame coach has said the seniors deserve a full house, but the projected crowd currently leaves something to be desired.
“People have to come out for Zuby, what he’s given to the university; people have to come out,” Pitino said Monday ahead of Tuesday’s meeting with Georgetown. “If you’re a real fan, come out, honor the seniors.”
Currently, just over 13,000 tickets are out.
St. John’s (23-6, 16-2) has drawn well at the Garden, but weekday games have been difficult.
The win over Villanova was a sellout, and the previous home game against Creighton also drew 19,328. Those were both Saturdays.
The highest-attended weekday game was Feb. 9, against Xavier, when attendance was 14,512.
“No excuses,” Pitino said.
Asked what would make him happy, Pitino said 19,500.
“It’s senior night,” he said. “I think it’s a special thing.”
Along with Ejiofor, seniors Oziyah Sellers, Bryce Hopkins, Dillon Mitchell and Handje Tamba will be honored.
It figures to be a memorable night, especially for Ejiofor.
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“If you ask all the guys in the locker room, they’re all saying that I will cry. So now, I’m definitely not crying,” Ejiofor said. “I know it’s going to be emotional. My family is going to be there. It’s a special moment. Just seeing my teammates out there as well, one final go-around at this for the regular season. “It will be a lot more special coming out with the victory and going to Seton Hall [on Friday] and coming out with the win as well.”
Mitchell didn’t practice Monday due to an illness.
Pitino said he is probable to play.
St. John’s dropped three spots in the Associated Press poll, from No. 15 to No. 18, after the lopsided loss to No. 4 UConn and ensuing blowout win over Villanova.
