St. John’s basketball is making waves this season, and it’s no longer a secret. After a phenomenal 10-game winning streak, the Red Storm are not just contenders; they are dominating the Big East, leading by a clear 1.5 games. The college basketball world is taking notice, with St. John’s expected to break into the Associated Press top-10 rankings, mirroring their current position in the coaches’ poll. This resurgence is largely attributed to the “Rick Pitino & Friends Show,” as their impressive run becomes undeniable.
“Having a hell of a year,” Coach Rick Pitino himself acknowledged after their recent victory, a hard-fought 68-62 win against Connecticut. The question on everyone’s mind is, what’s fueling this remarkable turnaround for St. John’s basketball?
To understand the magnitude of their success, consider these facts. Their current 21-3 overall record and 12-1 start in the Big East are reminiscent of the program’s golden era in the mid-1980s under Lou Carnesecca. This level of success hasn’t been seen in decades. In fact, they’ve already equaled their best win total in the last quarter-century, and it’s only early February.
Leading the Big East Conference is another significant milestone. St. John’s hasn’t claimed a Big East season title since 1992. Historically, the Red Storm have struggled in conference play, averaging nearly 12 league losses in the past nine years. This season, they have only tasted defeat once in conference, and that was by a single point, highlighting their remarkable transformation.
The significance of their back-to-back victories against No. 11 Marquette and No. 19 Connecticut cannot be overstated. Such a week hasn’t occurred in 19 years, marking a turning point for St. John’s basketball. Notably, these were only the second and third ranked opponents they’ve faced this season, making these wins even more impactful.
Last week’s No. 12 ranking in the Associated Press poll was another benchmark, the highest St. John’s has reached in 25 years. This consistent climb in the rankings reflects their sustained excellence on the court.
What’s truly impressive about this St. John’s basketball team is their resilience. They’ve faced double-digit deficits in five games this season, including comebacks from 16 points down against Xavier and Providence, and 14 points against UConn. They won all five of these contests, demonstrating an unwavering fighting spirit. Guard Kadary Richmond emphasized this mentality: “We’ve been down before, down big, and we always find a way to fight back.”
Their three losses this season have been agonizingly close, decided by a mere five points combined. These include a double-overtime thriller against Baylor, a narrow defeat to Georgia where their outside shooting faltered, and a one-point loss to Creighton. Crucially, their loss to Creighton is their only setback since before Thanksgiving, showcasing their sustained high level of play.
This St. John’s basketball team is driven by its starting lineup. They rank low nationally in bench points, a testament to the heavy reliance on their starters. In their recent wins against Providence, Marquette, and Connecticut, their bench was significantly outscored. Against Providence, the disparity was stark: 44-5. Despite this, their starting five has consistently delivered wins.
Defense is the bedrock of their success. Coach Pitino emphasizes, “We know that’s our common denominator.” Their defensive prowess is evident in their 22-7 turnover advantage against Connecticut, holding Georgetown to a mere 24.6 percent shooting, and limiting Seton Hall to just 15 field goals. They rank among the nation’s best in field goal percentage defense and turnover margin. This defensive strength is crucial as their offense can sometimes struggle. St. John’s ranks low in 3-point shooting, free throw percentage, and 3-pointers made per game. These offensive statistics are not typical of a 21-3 team, highlighting the unique nature of their success.
However, statistics often fail to capture intangible qualities like will and determination. Leading scorer RJ Luis Jr. captures the team’s mindset: “We’re very hungry.” His game-winning baseline jumper against UConn exemplifies their clutch performances.
Some of their victories have been almost improbable. They won against Marquette despite poor shooting from three-point range and the free-throw line. They overcame a 19-point blown lead against Providence to secure a win. They triumphed against Xavier despite trailing for most of the game. They navigated 18 lead changes against Villanova to emerge victorious. They even won a game against Butler despite abysmal three-point shooting.
Coach Pitino aptly describes his team as, “Obviously, a very intelligent but gritty team that doesn’t rattle when we are down.”
The core of this St. John’s basketball team is built on transfers. Kadary Richmond, a transfer from Seton Hall, leads the team in assists and steals and is third in scoring. Aaron Scott arrived from North Texas, and Deivon Smith from Utah. RJ Luis Jr., in his second season after transferring from Massachusetts, is a key leader and scorer. Pitino regards Luis as potentially the best scorer in the Big East.
Rick Pitino, at 72, is on the verge of making history by taking St. John’s to the NCAA tournament, his sixth different school to achieve this feat. He expresses genuine enthusiasm: “I’m having a blast coaching this team.” Their 21-3 record is undoubtedly invigorating for both the coach and the team.
RJ Luis Jr. emphasizes the collective effort and the inspiring presence of Coach Pitino and his staff: “I think everybody brings it. Just to see where coach Pitino is at in his life, just the fire that he brings. Not only coach Pitino but the whole coaching staff. They really care about us, they’re really genuine. They want to see us do well. When you got people like that around you that want to push you every day, you want to push back.”
The journey ahead for St. John’s basketball remains challenging. Upcoming games against Villanova, Marquette, Connecticut, and Creighton will test their mettle. Madison Square Garden has become an electrifying home court for the Red Storm, and these home games will be crucial.
Looking ahead to March, St. John’s aims to break long-standing NCAA Tournament droughts. Their last tournament appearance was in 2019, and their last tournament win dates back to 2000. They haven’t advanced past the first weekend of the tournament this century, with their sole Final Four appearance in 1985 under Lou Carnesecca.
Lou Carnesecca, who passed away last November at 99, would have undoubtedly enjoyed witnessing this St. John’s basketball revival. Pitino isn’t the only coach who has found joy and success at St. John’s, and this season feels like a fitting tribute to the program’s history and potential. The question isn’t just if St. John’s is back, but how far can they go this March?
