Rick Pitino's St. John's Red Storm (30-6) are in the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16 for the first time this century, a stunning feat for a program that couldn't shoot. The Red Storm rank 182nd nationally in field goal percentage (45.2) and 225th from three (33.2). Yet, they reached the Elite Eight, beating Kansas and Duke, showcasing Pitino's trademark opportunism, physicality, and fearlessness.

This mirrors his 2012-13 Louisville team, which won a title despite shooting just 33.3% from deep (216th). It's a far cry from his 1987 Providence team, which thrived on a revolutionary 3-point focus. Pitino's career spans eras, from Kentucky's Camelot to low-major rescues like Iona and St. John's.

He's won with talented rosters and built programs from the ground up, rescuing six bottomed-out teams (76-105 combined before his arrival). Five reached the NCAA tournament within two seasons. His 915 wins (.743) and two titles are overshadowed by scandals that vacated his Louisville crown and led to a professional exile in Greece.

Yet, his recent success, including consecutive Big East titles at St. John's, fuels the argument he's the greatest coach ever.