Calipari one-upped his frenemy. Arkansas had an up-and-down season on its way to a 10 seed for the tourney, while Pitino's' second-seeded team had national championship aspirations.

This team found a way to become one heartbeat — and that was so enjoyable and rewarding for me.”Veteran guard Johnell Davis was one of three scorers in double figures on Saturday for Arkansas, which led by as many as 13 points in the second half but had to hold off a frantic comeback bid by the Johnnies late to secure the victory.

St. John’s Kadary Richmond and Simeon Wilcher played a combined 31 minutes because of foul trouble. Richmond fouled out while Wilcher finished with four fouls. Pitino sat them for much of the first half after they picked up two fouls in the opening period.