Rick Pitino believes Dylan Darling is St. John’s most clutch participant

A yr in the past at the moment, Rick Pitino known as Zuby Ejiofor his most dear participant, RJ Luis Jr. his most excellent participant and Kadary Richmond his most clutch participant.

The St. John’s coach was requested for the same breakdown Tuesday.

He gave Ejiofor the nod for many excellent, named Dillon Mitchell essentially the most worthwhile, and essentially the most clutch?

“Clutch participant is clearly, you already know who it’s. It’s ‘Large Bells,’” Pitino stated, referring to Dylan Darling.

After a highway win at Xavier on Jan. 24, wherein Darling hit the go-ahead 3-pointer within the ultimate minute, Pitino stated Darling has “balls the dimensions of church bells.”

St. John’s now provides out a “Large Bells” award of the sport after wins to the participant that contributes essentially the most to a victory.

St. John's Red Storm guard Dylan Darling #0 puts up a shot as Butler Bulldogs guard Azavier Robinson #23 defends during the second half. The St. John's Red Storm defeated the Butler Bulldogs 92-70. — St. John’s Purple Storm guard Dylan Darling #0 places up a shot as Butler Bulldogs guard Azavier Robinson #23 defends throughout the second half. The St. John’s Purple Storm defeated the Butler Bulldogs 92-70. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Put up

This system even purchased a big bell for the event.

Over his previous 9 video games, Darling is averaging 10.3 factors, 2.2 assists and 1.4 steals off the bench, and has scored a minimum of 16 factors in three of the previous 4 video games.

Completely different Large East coaches, from Connecticut’s Dan Hurley to Xavier’s Richard Pitino to Creighton’s Greg McDermott, have raved concerning the Idaho State switch’s two-way impression.

Dylan Darling of the St. John's Red Storm goes up for a shot during the second half when the St. John's Red Storm played the Creighton Bluejays Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Madison Square Garden — Dylan Darling of the St. John’s Purple Storm goes up for a shot throughout the second half when the St. John’s Purple Storm performed the Creighton Bluejays Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Madison Sq. Backyard. Robert Sabo for NY Put up

Pitino has resisted beginning Darling, preferring him as a reserve, partly to remain out of early foul hassle.

“I give him, clearly, a ton of credit score,” Hurley stated Tuesday. “The narrative round them early within the yr was that there was no level guard and the purpose guard play wasn’t good. That man is hard as nails, only a clutch performer. He’s acquired a powerful will, and made enormous performs [against us]. I assumed he was the distinction in our sport on the Backyard.

“When issues acquired tight and we climbed again to a degree or two in that sport, he made all the large photographs.”

Ian Jackson (ankle) practiced absolutely Tuesday and can play, in keeping with Pitino. Jackson was held out of Saturday’s rout of Creighton. Pitino doesn’t count on him to begin. … Freshman guard Kelvin Odih (proper leg soreness) can be out.