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So, did St. John’s win? If you’re asking that right now, you’re likely staring at a box score or checking your parlay with a bit of sweat on your brow.
They won. The Red Storm pulled it off in a game that felt more like a street fight than a basketball clinic. St. John’s secured a gritty 75-68 victory over Butler at Hinkle Fieldhouse, a place where dreams usually go to die for visiting Big East teams. It wasn't pretty. Rick Pitino looked like he was about to lose his mind on the sidelines for about thirty-eight of those forty minutes, but a win in this league is a win, regardless of how much it hurts to watch.
Winning on the road in the Big East is basically like trying to win a marathon while people throw bricks at your shins. It sucks. It’s exhausting. And for a St. John’s program trying to claw its way back into the national conversation, these are the games that define the season.
The Pitino Effect and Why This Win Matters
Rick Pitino didn't come to Queens to lose to mid-tier conference opponents. He came to dominate. But the reality of "The Valley of the Queens" is that the roster overhaul takes time.
You’ve got a mix of high-level transfers and guys still trying to figure out Pitino’s hyper-aggressive defensive schemes. In the win against Butler, we saw the best and worst of that. The defensive pressure was suffocating at times, forcing 14 turnovers that turned into easy transition points. Kadary Richmond looked like the best player on the floor for stretches, controlling the tempo and proving why he was the most coveted prize in the portal.
But then there’s the shooting. Or the lack of it.
St. John’s struggled from deep, hitting just 28% of their threes. Honestly, in any other year, that’s a recipe for an upset. But this team has a different kind of "dog" in them. They out-rebounded Butler 42-31, a stat that tells you everything you need to know about their effort levels. Zuby Ejiofor was a monster on the glass, grabbing five offensive boards that kept possessions alive when the offense went stagnant.
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Breaking Down the Key Moments
The turning point happened with about four minutes left. Butler had trimmed a double-digit lead down to two. The crowd was deafening. You could feel the collapse coming—the kind of collapse St. John’s fans have seen a hundred times over the last decade.
Instead of folding, RJ Luis Jr. took over.
He didn't settle for a contested jumper. He drove the lane, drew the foul, and sunk both free throws. On the next possession, he poked the ball loose on the defensive end, leading to a fast-break dunk that effectively silenced the building.
It was a veteran sequence. It showed growth.
- Defensive Intensity: Pitino’s "match-up press" finally looked cohesive.
- Paint Dominance: They outscored Butler 38-22 in the paint.
- Free Throw Consistency: Closing out games requires making the "charity stripe" count, and they shot 82% as a team tonight.
What This Means for the Big East Standings
The Big East is a meat grinder. Right now, UConn is the gold standard, and Creighton and Marquette aren't far behind. For St. John’s to secure a top-four seed in the conference tournament at Madison Square Garden, they have to win these "swing games."
Losing to Butler would have been a resume killer. Winning keeps them firmly in the "In" column for the latest bracketology projections. Experts like Joe Lunardi have had the Red Storm hovering around an 8 or 9 seed for weeks. This victory provides a bit of breathing room, though not much.
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There’s a lot of talk about whether this team is "Tournament Ready." If you look at the metrics—KenPom, NET rankings, and the like—St. John’s is a top-30 team defensively. The problem is the offensive efficiency. When the game slows down in the half-court, they sometimes look lost.
Pitino mentioned in the post-game presser that they are "still learning how to win." That’s coach-speak for "we almost blew it," but he’s right. Learning to close out road games is the final step for a program trying to jump from "scrappy underdog" to "Final Four contender."
The Road Ahead
Don't get too comfortable. The schedule doesn't get easier.
Next up is a date with Villanova. Even in a "down" year for the Wildcats, that matchup is always a psychological hurdle for St. John’s. Then they’ve got to travel to Omaha to face Creighton’s high-octane offense.
If they can split those next two, they are in great shape. If they drop both, the "Did St. John’s win?" searches are going to start looking a lot more desperate.
The fan base is revitalized, though. You can see it in the ticket sales at Carnesecca Arena and the Garden. There is a palpable energy that hasn't been there since the Steve Lavin era, or maybe even going back to the Lou Carnesecca days. Pitino is a lightning rod, but he produces results.
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Actionable Takeaways for the Red Storm Faithful
If you’re following this team closely, there are a few things you should be watching over the next three weeks. These aren't just stats; they are the indicators of whether this team can actually make a run in March.
Watch the Turnover Margin
St. John's lives and dies by the press. If they aren't forcing at least 12 turnovers a game, their half-court offense isn't consistent enough to carry them. They need those "easy" points.
The Health of the Backcourt
Kadary Richmond is playing heavy minutes. In the Big East, that takes a toll. Watch for any signs of fatigue or nagging injuries. The depth behind him is talented but inexperienced.
Free Throw Disparity
One of the most underrated parts of the win against Butler was how often St. John’s got to the line. They were aggressive. When they settle for long-range jumpers, they lose. When they attack the rim and force the refs to blow the whistle, they win.
Tournament Seeding Logic
Keep an eye on the "Quadrant 1" wins. Beating Butler on the road counts as a Quad 1 or Quad 2 win depending on Butler's final ranking. St. John's needs at least three more of these to feel safe on Selection Sunday.
The Red Storm are currently in a position where they control their own destiny. That’s all you can ask for in January. They’ve proven they can win ugly, which is a requirement for postseason success. Now, they just have to prove they can do it consistently against the giants of the conference.
Check the schedule, clear your Saturday, and keep an eye on the defensive rotations. This team is frustrating, exhilarating, and exhausted, but most importantly, they are winning when it counts.
Next Steps for Fans:
Monitor the official Big East standings daily to see how tie-breakers are forming between St. John's, Providence, and Xavier. If you're planning on attending the Big East Tournament at MSG, book tickets now; the "Pitino Factor" has driven prices up 30% compared to last season. Keep a close eye on the NET rankings every Monday morning to track the team's standing for an at-large NCAA bid.