College basketball has this funny way of making you care about two teams that, on paper, have absolutely no business being rivals. You’ve got Kansas State, the gritty, purple-clad heart of the Big 12, and St. John’s, the flashy, quintessential "Big City" program from Queens. One is wheat fields and EMAW; the other is the subway and Madison Square Garden.
But when these two programs meet, it's always weirdly personal.
Most recently, we saw this play out in the 2024-25 season, a game that basically served as a masterclass in how momentum can shift in the blink of an eye. If you missed it, St. John’s walked away with an 88-71 win at Carnesecca Arena. But that score is a total liar. It doesn't tell you that Kansas State actually led at halftime. It doesn't tell you that Brendan Hausen was playing like he couldn't miss if he tried.
Honestly, the Kansas State vs St John's matchup is one of those cross-conference gems that feels like a heavy-weight fight between two different philosophies of the game.
The Carnesecca Night That Changed the Season
The December 2024 matchup was heavy. St. John's was playing its first game after the passing of the legendary Lou Carnesecca. You could feel that energy through the screen. K-State came in and tried to spoil the wake.
Brendan Hausen went absolutely nuclear in the first half. He dropped 21 of his 27 points before the break, hitting six triples. It felt like the Wildcats were going to run away with it in New York. But then, the second half happened.
Rick Pitino's squad—because let's be real, a Pitino team is never truly out of it—flipped a switch. They outscored K-State 53-32 in the second frame. Zuby Ejiofor was a man possessed, finishing with 28 points and 13 rebounds.
👉 See also: Quién juega hoy futbol mexicano: La guía real para no perderte ni un partido
- The Turnaround: St. John's shot 52.8% in the second half.
- The Lockdown: They held Hausen to just 6 points in the final 20 minutes.
- The Glass: The Red Storm snatched 51 rebounds to K-State's 40.
It wasn't just a win; it was a statement. It showed that the Big East's physical, grinding style could eventually wear down the high-octane shooting of a Big 12 contender.
History is Longer Than You Think
People think this is a "new" thing. It's not.
While they aren't playing every year, the history goes back decades. We’re talking about a series that spans from 1961 to the present. Before the 2024 blowout, St. John’s held a slight 2-1 edge in the modern-ish era.
Back in 1965, the Red Storm took a 72-65 win in Lawrence. Yes, you read that right—St. John’s went into Kansas and took one. K-State’s only win in the series (prior to any future 2025-2026 scheduling) came in 1961, a 63-50 defensive slugfest in Manhattan.
There’s no "geographic" reason for these teams to dislike each other. It’s a "respect" thing. Kansas State represents the blue-collar, high-major stability of the Midwest. St. John’s is the "Johnnies," the team that wants to prove New York City still owns basketball.
What to Watch For in the 2025-2026 Cycle
Now that we’re moving into the 2026 calendar year, the landscape of both teams has shifted. The Big 12 is a gauntlet. Kansas State is dealing with a conference that now includes Arizona, Utah, and Colorado. Every Tuesday night is a war.
St. John’s is trying to maintain that "Pitino Effect." They’ve become a destination for high-level transfers who want the bright lights.
✨ Don't miss: Soldier Field Weather: Why the Windy City Stadium Always Wins
When looking at the Kansas State vs St John's dynamic moving forward, keep an eye on the guard play. K-State has pivoted toward a more versatile, positionless style of play. They want guys who can switch everything. St. John’s? They want to press you until you quit.
If these two meet in a neutral-site tournament or a scheduled non-conference tilt in 2026, the key will be the turnover battle. In their last meeting, St. John's only turned the ball over 8 times. You can't beat a well-coached team if you don't force them into mistakes.
Why Most Fans Get the Wildcats Wrong
There's a misconception that K-State is just a "shooting team." Jerome Tang has built a culture that's much more about "heart over height."
They play a brand of basketball that’s sort of chaotic but controlled. They want to bait you into a track meet. The problem is, St. John’s thrives in the track meet. That’s why the matchup is so fascinating. It’s like watching two people try to beat each other at their own favorite game.
The Recruitment War
Believe it or not, these two programs often bump heads on the recruiting trail. Both have been aggressive in the portal.
They are looking for the same thing: the 6'5" wing who can defend three positions and knock down a corner three. When a kid from the East Coast is deciding between staying home at St. John's or heading to the "Little Apple" (Manhattan, KS), it adds an extra layer of spice to the next time they suit up against each other.
👉 See also: Chargers vs Tampa Bay: What Really Happened at SoFi Stadium
Breaking Down the Stats
If you're betting on or just analyzing this matchup, ignore the season averages. Look at the "Points in the Paint" and "Second Chance Points."
In the 2024 game, St. John's lived at the free-throw line, going 16-of-17. That's 94%. You don't see that often in college hoops. K-State, meanwhile, struggled with consistency. They’d go on a 14-2 run and then go scoreless for four minutes.
To win a game like Kansas State vs St John's, the Wildcats have to find a secondary scoring option when the primary shooter gets doubled. In that 88-71 loss, David N'Guessan was solid with 15 points, but they needed one more body to step up in the paint.
Real Insights for the Future
If you’re following these programs through 2026, here’s the reality:
Kansas State is going to be defined by how they handle the size of the new Big 12. They are playing bigger, more physical teams every week. This actually prepares them better for a team like St. John’s.
St. John’s is defined by their "Madison Square Garden" identity. They play better when the stakes are high and the crowd is loud.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch the non-conference schedules: Often these matchups are finalized late in the summer. Check the Big 12/Big East Battle rotations.
- Follow the injury reports on big men: Since both teams rely on "anchor" centers (like Ejiofor or Ugonna Onyenso), a single sprained ankle changes the entire spread.
- Monitor the 3-point percentage regression: If K-State is shooting 45% over a three-game stretch, they are due for a "cool down" game. That’s usually when a defensive team like St. John’s pounces.
This isn't just a game between two schools with "Manhattan" in their address (Manhattan, KS vs Manhattan/Queens, NY). It's a clash of cultures. Whether it's a regular-season upset or a potential NCAA Tournament seeding battle, the Kansas State vs St John's storyline is one of the most underrated narratives in the sport.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep a close eye on the mid-week Big 12 results for K-State. If they are struggling with turnovers against high-pressure defenses like Houston or Iowa State, they’ll likely struggle against the Red Storm’s full-court look too.
Track the adjusted defensive efficiency on KenPom for both squads heading into February. Usually, that’s when the "real" identity of these teams is revealed. If St. John's is in the top 20 defensively, they are a nightmare for anyone. If K-State is hitting 10+ threes a game, they are a threat to make an Elite Eight run.