CBB Full-Court Press: Pitino guiding St. John's back to prominence

College Basketball Full-Court Press recaps the most important developments from the sport and examines their significance moving forward.

St. John's makes statement

St. John's put the college basketball world on notice with an impressive 68-62 road win over two-time defending national champs UConn. The Johnnies' strong defensive play was front and center on prime time, limiting an elite Huskies offense to 39% shooting and scoring 18 points off 22 turnovers. Rick Pitino's decision to use a full-court press played a significant role. UConn stars Alex Karaban and Liam McNeeley shot a combined 5-of-21 from the field. Meanwhile, Huskies sharpshooter Solo Ball was held scoreless for the final 28 minutes of the contest after a scorching start.

"What the press has done for me, for 40 years, has worn people out, legs-wise, where they don't shoot the ball as well," Pitino told reporters postgame, according CBS Sports' Gary Parrish. "It's always been the gift that my teams have had. If we can wear out their legs, they won't shoot as well."

Pitino's squad has forged an identity with its suffocating defense. St. John's toughness and grit are reminiscent of the coach's past Kentucky and Louisville teams. The Red Storm speed up their opponents' decision-making, play with physicality, and have the size and length to cause havoc. They're allowing only 87.8 points per 100 possessions, which is second on KenPom's rankings for adjusted defensive efficiency. The school also owns the nation's 11th-best turnover margin.

St. John's defensive excellence has made up for a lack of outside shooting. It's won 10 straight contests and is in the driver's seat for its first Big East regular-season crown since 1992. The Johnnies are for real, and nobody wants to go against Pitino in March.

Florida beats No. 1 again

Florida took down the country's No. 1 team for the second time this season, leading by as many as 21 points in a 90-81 road victory over Auburn. The Gators are just the fifth team in AP Poll history to have home and away wins against a top-ranked opponent in the same campaign, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

Todd Golden's squad had an impressive offensive display in the absence of second-leading scorer Alijah Martin, scoring 90 points on 48.4% shooting, including 13 triples. Walter Clayton Jr. was one of five players to register double digits in scoring, posting 19 points with nine assists and six boards. The Tigers hadn't allowed more than 70 points at home this season prior to Florida's outburst.

Part of the Gators' offensive success can be attributed to continuity, which isn't easy in today's college basketball climate. Five of their six top scorers were members of last season's squad, and each player has built on the previous campaign. The lone exception is fifth-year guard Martin, who's Golden's latest coup from the transfer portal. Florida's also been lethal in transition, posting the third-most fast-break points per contest (17.4).

The Gators can certainly shoot their way to a Final Four, but they've also got the defensive chops to survive a subpar offensive showing. Florida's other win over a No. 1 opponent was evidence of that when it overcame a 39.7% shooting performance by holding Tennessee to a season-low 43 points on 21.4% shooting. The Volunteers converted 3-of-11 layups, made only 14% of their threes, and managed just 0.68 points per possession.

Historic Iron Bowl showdown

Auburn retained its spot atop the AP Poll despite falling to Florida over the weekend, receiving 11 more first-place votes than Alabama to stay No. 1 for the fifth consecutive week. It's hard to argue against the results, with the Tigers sporting an NCAA-leading 12-2 mark in Quad 1 matchups. However, the Crimson Tide will have a chance to settle the debate when they host Auburn in the first-ever SEC matchup between the AP's Nos. 1 and 2 teams.

The Iron Bowl has produced many memories on the gridiron, but Saturday's rivalry meeting is a chance to write a new chapter on the hardwood. Both programs recently made a Final Four, and each has an All-American talent leading its explosive offensive unit. Mark Sears is the focal point of Alabama's attack, averaging 17.8 points and five assists. The 6-foot-1 guard's shot-creating ability and movement off the ball make him difficult to contain. Meanwhile, Johni Broome is the head of the snake for Auburn. The big man's crafty post play, rebounding prowess, and shot-blocking have him neck-and-neck with Duke's Cooper Flagg for National Player of the Year.

Aden Holloway's transfer from the Tigers to the Crimson Tide last April adds another dimension to an already deeply-rooted rivalry. The ex-Auburn guard and McDonald's All-American told NCAA.com's Andy Katz that Nate Oats' system is "more catered" to his game. Holloway has emerged as a key piece in his sophomore year, tallying 11.5 points per contest and connecting on 41.7% of his 3-point attempts.

Transition three

Woodson's officially out: It's no surprise Indiana finally decided to pull the plug on the Mike Woodson era. The Hoosiers were on the wrong end of too many lopsided losses during his four-year tenure and are set to miss a second straight NCAA Tournament despite having one of the highest NIL budgets for the transfer portal. Those funds should be an attractive selling point to whoever succeeds Woodson. Could the school make a run at Dusty May? Michigan's lead man was a student manager under Bob Knight in the late '90s. Ole Miss' Chris Beard is another candidate with ties to Knight, serving as an assistant and associate head coach during the latter's time at Texas Tech. Indiana has deep pockets but can't afford another swing-and-miss in its head coaching search.

Arizona making Big 12 charge: The Wildcats have won 13 of 14 games after beginning the season 4-5. They've defeated five top-25 teams in Big 12 play to put themselves second in the conference, just 0.5 game back of Houston. Arizona avenged its only Big 12 loss over the weekend, limiting a potent Texas Tech offense to 37.1% shooting in an 82-73 victory. Only Auburn and Tennessee have more Quad 1 wins than Tommy Lloyd's program. Caleb Love leads a balanced offensive attack that features seven players averaging at least eight points. Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka is among the top offensive rebounders in the country. Junior forward Henri Veesaar has provided solid rim protection in an increased role off the bench. A big test awaits Saturday when the Wildcats host the sixth-ranked Cougars.

Welcome back, Dickie V: Longtime ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale made his long awaited return for Saturday's ACC clash between Duke and Clemson. The game's result was secondary, as it was just nice to hear Vitale on the call after all the health issues he's endured over the past few years. You could see how much it meant to him when he shook hands with fans in the arena and held back tears on the broadcast. There's no greater ambassador for college basketball than Vitale, and the Hall of Famer's passion for the game is unmatched. It's good to see Vitale back where he belongs.