This season, St. John’s basketball team is under the spotlight like never before. Gone are the days of flying under the radar. After a stunning resurgence last spring, the Red Storm claimed their first outright Big East regular-season and conference tournament championships in decades, securing a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Now, they’re kicking off this season ranked No. 5 in the AP poll—the highest preseason ranking in the program’s history. But here’s where it gets controversial: Can they live up to the sky-high expectations?
The buzz surrounding last year’s unexpected success has evolved into full-blown championship fever. The players are well aware of the pressure. “We definitely talk about it,” shared Bryce Hopkins, a graduate transfer from Providence, during media day at Carnesecca Arena. “Our goal is to make it to that final weekend in March or April, competing for the Final Four and a championship. But Coach [Rick Pitino] keeps us grounded, reminding us to focus on one day, one game at a time.”
Navigating these expectations won’t be easy for a revamped St. John’s roster. With only one returning starter, senior forward/center Zuby Ejiofor, the team has leaned heavily on a transfer class hailed by ESPN and 247Sports as the nation’s best. This new-look squad faces its first test on Saturday in an exhibition against Towson at Carnesecca Arena.
Pitino has been clear about the path to success. “Every top program aims to be a Final Four contender,” he said. “I’ve told the team exactly what it takes defensively and offensively to get there. It’s not about declaring ourselves a Final Four program—it’s about doing the work to become one.”
The talent is undeniable. Ejiofor, an All-Big East first team selection and the conference’s Most Improved Player last year, anchors the frontcourt alongside Hopkins, a 6-7 forward who earned All-Big East honors in 2022-23 before battling injuries. They’re joined by senior forward Dillon Mitchell, a defensive stalwart with experience at Texas and Cincinnati.
Pitino also addressed last season’s weaknesses, particularly in three-point shooting, by adding sharpshooters like Oziyah Sellers (Stanford), Joson Sanon (Arizona State), and Ian Jackson, a former five-star recruit from UNC. “The coaching staff did an incredible job recruiting players who are competitive and ready to win now,” Ejiofor noted. “For most of us, it’s our last year, so it’s Final Four or bust, as Coach Pitino often says.”
But talent alone won’t cut it, especially in a Big East Conference where No. 4 UConn looms large. Pitino has identified defensive communication as a key area for improvement. The team also lacks a true point guard, relying instead on Sellers—a natural wing—to handle ball-handling duties. Pitino believes St. John’s can thrive with a position-less style, emphasizing ball movement once they cross halfcourt.
The starting lineup remains fluid, with Sellers, Jackson, Sanon, Mitchell, and Ejiofor expected to start on Saturday. “We dream of cutting down the nets, but the best approach is focusing on each day,” Sellers said. “Our game this Saturday is our top priority.”
Last year’s 31-5 record ended abruptly with a second-round NCAA Tournament upset by 10th-seeded Arkansas. This year’s team has the potential to be even better, though the schedule is no cakewalk. St. John’s faces a daunting non-conference slate, including matchups against No. 15 Alabama, No. 16 Iowa State, and No. 9 Kentucky.
Yet, the team isn’t looking that far ahead. The regular season begins on November 3 against Quinnipiac. “We all dream of winning it all,” Pitino said. “But the key is to focus on the next day, the next game. We’re not looking too far ahead.”
And this is the part most people miss: In a sport where talent and strategy collide, it’s often the mental game that decides championships. Can St. John’s handle the pressure? Will their position-less approach pay off? And how will they fare against a loaded Big East? These questions make this season one to watch.
What do you think? Can St. John’s live up to the hype, or will the pressure prove too much? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
