Rick Pitino says Kadary Richmond would’ve stayed at Seton Hall “if the money was close.” The 6-foot-6 Brooklyn native transferred to St. John’s from The Hall last spring for an NIL bag that was more significant than what Seton Hall could offer. Top transfers in today’s market can get in the high six-figures or even low seven.

“Yeah, I think being booed is something that he can handle,” St. John’s Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino said Friday. “Well, he grew up on the streets of Brooklyn, so I think he can handle being booed. He’s not going to cry.”

No, the St. John’s coach said with a smile, jeers won’t impact senior guard Kadary Richmond when he returns to Prudential Center as the enemy.

St. John’s fans should appreciate RJ Luis while he’s here. Rick Pitino is anticipating the dynamic junior wing going pro when this season is up. The reigning Big East Player of the Week, the 6-foot-7 Luis has taken a big leap this year as the Johnnies’ leading scorer at 17.5 points per game.

St. John’s blew past Seton Hall early with a huge first half and then rolled to a 79-51 Big East victory at Prudential Center. The Storm’s win was its fifth in a row and 11th in 12 games. More important: their victory combined with Xavier’s win at No. 7 Marquette, puts St. John’s (16-3, 7-1) alone in first place in the Big East.

Asked if he is certain that this will be RJ Luis Jr.'s final season with the Red Storm, Rick Pitino replied, "In my estimation 100%, but that's RJ's decision."

St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12), left, dribbles the ball against New Mexico guard Donovan Dent (2), right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) AP

NEWARK – The boos rained down on Kadary Richmond from the moment he took the Prudential Center court Saturday night. Since last spring, when Richmond transferred from Seton Hall to St. John’s for his postgraduate season – the first Pirate basketball player ever to switch to another Big East program – this game was circled on Hall fans’ calendar.

Even on an off night, St. John's demonstrated what it's capable of to the rest of the Big East Conference. Next, Rick Pitino and the Red Storm make the short

Smith’s injury made Kadary Richmond the team’s primary ballhandler. Richmond ended up one of the key reasons that St. John’s came back to beat the Hoyas, 63-58, with all of his 10 points and three of his eight rebounds after halftime.

St. John's faces Seton Hall. Our college basketball odds series has our St. John's Seton Hall prediction, odds and pick for Saturday.

How will Seton Hall fans react when Kadary Richmond sets foot in the Prudential Center in a St. John's uniform? We asked four season-ticket holders.