CHARLESTON, S.C. — Nahiem Alleyne pulled Rick Pitino apart.
He needed to speak to the Corridor of Fame coach.
“Right here it comes,” Pitino thought to himself. “He’s going to need to know the right way to get extra minutes and the right way to get again within the lineup and so forth.”
That, nevertheless, was not the case.
Alleyne apologized to his new coach.
He had not been performing as much as his requirements.
“I didn’t come right here to play like that,” the fifth-year senior informed him.
Sunday’s effort was extra prefer it.
Alleyne made an impression, serving to St. John’s knock off Utah, 91-82, within the third-place recreation of the Charleston Basic.
The Connecticut switch had 10 factors on 4 of 6 capturing, three assists and a plus-nine ranking in 17 high quality minutes off the bench.
Of their discuss, Alleyne didn’t foyer Pitino for extra enjoying time.
“I’m going to be prepared everytime you name my title,” Alleyne stated, recalling the dialog. “It might be one minute, two minutes, I’m going to be able to go.”
The 6-foot-4 swingman illustrated his worth towards Utah.
He defended properly — Pitino has known as him the workforce’s finest perimeter defender — hit a number of 3-pointers and even arrange his teammates a number of occasions.
Pitino has needed him to do extra than simply rating on offense.
“He was a giant issue tonight enjoying small ahead. I stated all I need you to do, son, is create some assists, get some rebounds. I do know you possibly can rating the basketball,” Pitino stated. “Tonight he provides us a giant raise, three assists, zero turnovers, one steal. He simply did plenty of good issues.”
RJ Luis informed Pitino earlier than the sport he wasn’t fairly able to return. The UMass switch has been out since fracturing his left hand on Oct. 1 and has solely had one full apply. The plan is for the 6-foot-7 sophomore to return towards Holy Cross subsequent Saturday.
Pitino praised the play of star middle Joel Soriano, who had 12 factors, 15 rebounds and two blocks towards Utah and its two 7-footers, Branden Carlson and Lawson Lovering.
“I feel Joel performed about as clever as a pivot can play with walling up and never fouling,” Pitino stated. “It was super to see that.”