Quinn Slazinski not worried about facing former head coach Rick Pitino and St. John’s

West Virginia’s Quinn Slazinski is no stranger to St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino.

On Friday, when West Virginia hosts the Red Storm, Slazinski will be facing his former head coach, but for the West Virginia forward, it’s bigger than that one specific storyline. 

“The main objective is to win. I’m not here to play one-on-one versus Rick Pitino. I’m here to beat St. John’s,” Slazinski said Thursday. 

Slazinski is familiar with Pitino due to their shared time at Iona. 

Slazinski spent two seasons with Pitino at Iona from 2021-2023, averaging 16.3 points per game and shooting 37.8% from three last season. 

“The man (Pitino) we play [tomorrow night] actually taught me that pressure is one of the greatest gifts an athlete can receive,” Slazinski said. “It’s when life calls upon you to step up in the moment and this is a game I’ve circled for a long time on my calendar.” 

Slazinski is going to be called upon heavily to beat a team which features former teammates, coaches, and staff members. 

Pitino is in his 36th year coaching and he’s at his seventh school. He led his team to a 52-16 record during Slazinski’s time at Iona, winning the MAAC conference and making an NCAA tournament appearance in 2023.

“I just think one of the great things a coach like him can give you is experience,” Slazinski said of Pitino.

St.John’s currently sits at 4-2 having won their last two matchups. 

“St.John’s they’re going to come here, they’re going to press us from the start. We’ve come up with a plan and been studying it all week of how to release that pressure and break that pressure,” Slazinski said.

Slazinski, a player who admittedly plays with deep emotions will look to take advantage of the moment and try to make sure his teammates do the same Friday night in the Coliseum. 

“I think my emotions are very very helpful for this team. In terms of the small amount of bodies we have, my voice is super important to the practice, the team’s success and just the ability to get guys going,” Slazinski said. “The only people that matter are my teammates you know, my coaches and if my energy gets my teammates going, it’s a no-brainer that’s what I’m going to do.”

Slazinski and the Mountaineers will tip off against Pitino and St.John’s at 7:00 p.m. EST in this Big East-Big 12 Battle which will be televised on ESPN2.