The St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball team is set to ignite their 122nd season in program history with a highly anticipated matchup against local rivals, the Fordham Rams. Basketball fans are marking their calendars for Monday evening’s clash at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, with tip-off scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time. For those eager to catch the action, FS1 will broadcast the game, featuring commentary from Alex Faust and Tarik Turner.
Adding to the excitement of opening night, Fox Sports and the BIG EAST Conference are teaming up for the fourth consecutive year to deliver “whiparound” coverage of college basketball’s opening tip-offs on FS1. Similar to the NFL RedZone experience, viewers will be treated to exciting snippets of the game, offering a taste of the live action. However, for dedicated fans wanting to immerse themselves in the full Fordham-St. John’s game experience, FoxSports.com/Live and the Fox Sports app provide complete live streaming. Accessing the full game broadcast requires logging in with cable provider credentials, generally available at no extra cost for subscribers with FS1 in their package. For those preferring radio, the game will also be broadcast live on 90.7 FM WFUV and streamed on the WFUV Sports YouTube page, ensuring multiple avenues for fans to follow the St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball season opener.
Image alt text: Fordham Rams head coach Keith Urgo directing his team during a basketball game, emphasizing his leadership in his third season.
Fordham enters this season under the leadership of Head Coach Keith Urgo, now in his third year. Urgo has already made a significant impact, achieving a win record in his first two seasons that surpasses any Fordham coach since the legendary Johnny Bach in the early 1950s. Named the 2023 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, Urgo welcomes back a strong core of returning players, accounting for over 60% of last season’s scoring output. Key returning offensive threats include Japhet Medor and Will Richardson, both guards who averaged 9.8 points per game last season, providing crucial experience and scoring ability for the Rams. Adding to the backcourt talent, rising junior Joshua Rivera is poised for a bigger role after averaging 7.7 points in limited minutes last year. In the frontcourt, Fordham boasts the return of Abdou Tsimbila, a sixth-year senior and dominant force. Tsimbila led the team in rebounding and blocks last season, averaging 7.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and an impressive 2.3 blocks per game, ranking him among the nation’s top shot blockers. Experienced upperclassmen Romad Dean and Zach Riley also return, providing further depth and stability to the Fordham lineup. To bolster their roster, Fordham strategically added two transfers: Jackie Johnson III and Matt Zona. Johnson, a guard with prior experience at Duquesne and UNLV, brings scoring and playmaking ability. Zona, a forward returning to his New York roots from Notre Dame, adds size and experience to the frontcourt rotation. Fordham also welcomes four promising freshmen, including highly-touted center Jaden Smith, a four-star recruit and Fordham’s highest-rated prospect in over a decade. Guard Ryan Pettis impressed in preseason play, hinting at valuable contributions from the freshman class. The Rams enter this matchup with momentum, having completed a perfect preseason with victories over Holy Cross and UMBC, showcasing their readiness for the regular season challenges ahead.
Image alt text: St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino strategizing during a men’s basketball game, highlighting his Hall of Fame coaching pedigree.
St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball, under the guidance of Hall of Fame Head Coach Rick Pitino, enters its second season with high expectations. The Red Storm are currently just outside the Associated Press Top 25 rankings, signaling their national relevance. Picked to finish fifth in the competitive BIG EAST Conference, St. John’s returns five players from a team that achieved a 20-win season last year and narrowly missed an NCAA Tournament berth. Leading returner RJ Luis, a transfer from UMass, averaged 10.9 points per game last season and provides key scoring continuity. The offseason was marked by a significant roster overhaul, with St. John’s securing the nation’s top-rated transfer class according to EvanMiya.com. This influx of talent includes Kadary Richmond, an All-BIG EAST First Team selection from Seton Hall, known for his all-around game. Other notable transfers include Vince Iwuchukwu (USC), Deivon Smith (Utah), and Aaron Scott (North Texas), each bringing unique skills and experience to the Red Storm. Deivon Smith, in particular, stands out after leading the nation in triple-doubles last season at Utah, showcasing his exceptional versatility. Aaron Scott provides size and rebounding prowess, adding further depth to St. John’s frontcourt.
Image alt text: A visual representation of the Fordham Rams versus St. John’s Red Storm men’s basketball rivalry, featuring team logos.
The upcoming game marks the 91st meeting between Fordham and St. John’s, in a series steeped in New York City basketball history dating back to 1909. While St. John’s holds a dominant 68-22 advantage in the all-time series, including a 19-0 record at Carnesecca Arena since 1962, the rivalry remains a significant event for both programs and their fans. Fordham’s last victory against the Red Storm came in the 2015-16 season at Rose Hill Gym, a testament to the unpredictable nature of rivalry games. As these two New York City basketball programs prepare to face off once again, fans can anticipate an intense and competitive matchup, filled with local pride and the excitement of a season opener.
