St. John’s basketball is no longer a team to overlook. After an incredible run of 10 consecutive wins, the Red Storm have surged to the top of the Big East conference, leading by a significant 1.5 games. Their remarkable performance has caught the attention of the nation, with St. John’s expected to break into the Associated Press top-10 rankings soon – a feat they’ve already achieved in the coaches’ poll. This resurgence, spearheaded by the legendary coach Rick Pitino, is transforming the narrative around St. John’s basketball.
“Having a hell of a year,” Pitino himself acknowledged after their recent victory against Connecticut. But what exactly is fueling this impressive turnaround for St. John’s basketball? Let’s delve into the key factors behind their newfound success.
A Season of Milestones for St. John’s Basketball
The numbers speak volumes about the transformation of St. John’s basketball. Their current 21-3 overall record and dominant 12-1 start in the Big East are reminiscent of the program’s glory days in the mid-1980s under Lou Carnesecca. This level of success hasn’t been witnessed in decades, marking a significant turning point for the Red Storm.
To put it in perspective, St. John’s has already equaled their highest win total in the last quarter-century, and it’s only early February. Their position atop the Big East standings is equally noteworthy. The last time St. John’s basketball claimed a share of the Big East regular-season title was back in 1992. Considering their average of nearly 12 conference losses over the past nine seasons, their current single defeat in the league is an astounding achievement.
Adding to their impressive resume are back-to-back victories against No. 11 Marquette and No. 19 Connecticut. Such a week of triumphs against ranked opponents hasn’t occurred for St. John’s basketball in almost two decades. Furthermore, their recent No. 12 ranking in the Associated Press poll is their highest in 25 years, solidifying their return to national prominence.
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The Grit and Resilience of the Red Storm
One of the defining characteristics of this St. John’s basketball team is their resilience. They have faced adversity in multiple games this season, trailing by double digits five times against teams like Xavier, Providence, Georgetown, UConn, and Kansas State. Remarkably, they rallied to win every single one of those games. Guard Kadary Richmond aptly stated, “We’ve been down before, down big, and we always find a way to fight back.”
Even in their three defeats, St. John’s basketball has shown their competitiveness, losing by a mere combined total of five points. These close losses, including a double-overtime thriller against Baylor and narrow defeats to Georgia and Creighton, highlight their ability to compete at the highest level and underscore that they are never truly out of a game.
Interestingly, this surge is primarily driven by their starting lineup. St. John’s basketball ranks low nationally in bench points, relying heavily on their starters. In their recent wins against Providence, Marquette, and Connecticut, their bench was significantly outscored. Despite this reliance on the starting five, their winning streak continues.
Defense: The Cornerstone of Success
Coach Pitino emphasizes defense as the “common denominator” for St. John’s basketball‘s success. Their defensive prowess is evident in several key statistics. Against Connecticut, they forced an impressive 22 turnovers while only committing 7 themselves. They held Georgetown to a mere 24.6 percent shooting and limited Seton Hall to just 15 field goals along with 18 turnovers. Nationally, they rank among the top teams in field goal percentage defense and turnover margin.
While their offense can sometimes struggle, particularly in three-point shooting and free throw percentage (ranking low nationally in these categories), their defense consistently steps up. This defensive strength provides a solid foundation for their victories, even when offensive production is inconsistent.
Willpower and Purpose: The Intangibles
Beyond statistics, there’s an undeniable willpower and purpose driving St. John’s basketball. Leading scorer RJ Luis Jr. encapsulates this sentiment: “We’re very hungry.” This hunger translates into overcoming offensive struggles and finding ways to win even when the odds are stacked against them.
Examples of their “mystical” victories include defeating Marquette despite poor three-point and free-throw shooting, overcoming a 19-point lead blown against Providence, and winning against Xavier despite trailing for most of the game. Coach Pitino describes them as “a very intelligent but gritty team that doesn’t rattle when we are down.”
The Pitino Effect and Player Profiles
The influence of Coach Rick Pitino is undeniable. At 72, he’s on the verge of making history by leading St. John’s basketball to the NCAA tournament, marking the sixth different school he has taken to the Big Dance. His enthusiasm is palpable, as he admits, “I’m having a blast coaching this team.”
The starting lineup is primarily composed of transfers, highlighting Pitino’s ability to quickly assemble a competitive team. Kadary Richmond (Seton Hall), Aaron Scott (North Texas), and Deivon Smith (Utah) are key transfers who have seamlessly integrated into the Red Storm system. RJ Luis Jr., in his second season after transferring from Massachusetts, leads the scoring charge. Pitino praises Luis Jr. as potentially the best scorer in the Big East.
Luis Jr. highlights the collective buy-in from the team, inspired by Pitino and his coaching staff: “Just to see where coach Pitino is at in his life, just the fire that he brings… 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 Road to March Madness and Beyond for St. John’s Basketball
The final stretch of the season will be crucial for St. John’s basketball. Upcoming games against Villanova, Marquette, Connecticut, and Creighton will test their mettle. Madison Square Garden has become an electric atmosphere for their home games, providing a significant advantage.
Looking ahead to March, the Red Storm aim to break long-standing NCAA tournament droughts. Their last tournament appearance was in 2019, and their last tournament win dates back to 2000. A deep tournament run would be a historic achievement, especially considering their single Final Four appearance in 1985 under Lou Carnesecca.
The legacy of St. John’s basketball, including the late, legendary coach Lou Carnesecca, adds another layer to this season’s narrative. As they strive for continued success, the Red Storm are not only making headlines now but also building towards a potentially memorable March Madness.
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