PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rick Pitino has been drilling the requisite mentality into the hearts and minds of his St. John’s players for more than a month now:&nbsp;

Play this game as if it’s the last game you are going to play.&nbsp;

Because when March Madness begins at 9:45 Thursday night inside Amica Mutual Pavilion in a West Region opener against 15th-seeded Omaha, there is always a danger that the first game could indeed be the last game of what has been an historic season.&nbsp;

Don’t be an unsuspecting victim of March Madness.&nbsp;

New York has been waiting for what seems like an eternity for a team like this and a coach like this. {ai:summary}<p>Rick Pitino emphasizes a crucial mindset to his St. John's players: approach each game as if it could be their last. As they prepare for their West Region opener against 15th-seeded Omaha, the stakes are high, and the risk of an early exit looms large in this historic season. </p><p>#sports</p>

St. John’s isn’t forgetting what got them here on eve of March Madness

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