Rick Pitino is back in the mix, and honestly, it feels like 1996 all over again, just with better tailored suits and a lot more NIL money flying around. If you’ve been tracking st john's basketball rankings lately, you know the vibe in Queens has shifted from "maybe we’ll make the NIT" to "we might actually crash the Final Four." It’s a wild time to be at Carnesecca Arena.
Right now, as of mid-January 2026, the Red Storm are sitting in a fascinating spot. They aren't the undisputed kings of the Big East—that title still belongs to UConn—but they’ve forced their way into the national conversation. They currently hold a 13-5 overall record and a 5-1 mark in conference play. After a massive 92-68 blowout against Marquette and a statement win over Creighton, the "Johnnies" are officially the team nobody wants to see on their schedule.
The Reality of the AP Poll vs. the Computer Models
Look, the AP Poll is basically a beauty contest. It’s what people talk about at the bar. In the most recent update, St. John's is hovering right on the edge of the Top 25, even receiving some votes for the top spot earlier in the season when they were ranked as high as No. 5 in the preseason. But if you want the real story, you have to look at the "nerd stats"—the NET and KenPom.
Computers love this team way more than the humans do right now.
The metrics are high on their efficiency. They rank 21st in adjusted offensive efficiency and 21st in defensive efficiency. That kind of balance is rare. Most teams are either all-offense or all-defense, but Pitino has these guys playing a brand of "organized chaos" that translates well to the spreadsheet.
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They are currently 2nd in the Big East in scoring margin, beating opponents by an average of 13.2 points. That’s huge for the NET rankings, which value blowouts over Quad 1 and Quad 2 opponents. When you beat a team like Marquette by 24, the computers notice.
Why the Preseason Hype Hit a Speed Bump
You might remember the hype train back in November. St. John's started the year ranked No. 5 in the country. Gary Parrish even had them at No. 1 in his "Top 25 and 1" for a minute. Then, reality hit. Losses to Kentucky and Providence cooled things down.
The Kentucky loss was a wake-up call.
Playing a neutral site game against a blue blood early in the season exposed some of the chemistry issues you get when you have a roster full of high-level transfers. Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor are stars, but learning to play together in Pitino’s high-pressure system takes time. They looked disjointed. They looked like a collection of talent rather than a team.
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But since the calendar flipped to 2026? Different story.
The Big East Gauntlet
The Big East is a meat grinder. UConn is a juggernaut, and Villanova is surprisingly resilient this year. St. John's is currently tied for second in the standings with Villanova, trailing only the undefeated Huskies.
- UConn: 8-0 in conference
- St. John's: 5-1 in conference
- Villanova: 5-1 in conference
Being at the top of this league matters more for your seed in March than any arbitrary ranking in a weekly poll. The Red Storm are projected as a No. 9 seed in the latest bracketology, but that feels low. If they keep winning at this clip, they’ll be looking at a 4 or 5 seed by the time the Big East Tournament rolls around at MSG.
Who is Actually Driving These Rankings?
It starts and ends with Zuby Ejiofor. The senior forward is a monster. He’s averaging 16.2 points and 7.5 rebounds, and he’s arguably the best defensive anchor in the conference. When Zuby is on the floor, the paint is a "no-fly zone."
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Then you have the "X-Factor" players:
- Bryce Hopkins: The Providence transfer has finally found his rhythm. He’s a walking mismatch.
- Ian Jackson: The sophomore from the Bronx is the heartbeat of the team. He plays with a level of New York grit that the fans absolutely adore.
- Dillon Mitchell: A high-flyer who does the dirty work. He’s the glue that keeps the defense together.
Pitino has built a roster that fits the "New York" identity. They press. They run. They talk a little trash. It’s fun to watch, even if it’s stressful for the alumni.
The "Pitino Effect" and the 2026 Outlook
We have to talk about the coach. Rick Pitino is 73 years old, and he’s coaching like his hair is on fire. He’s already won Big East titles at other schools, and he’s clearly trying to do it one last time in Queens. The fact that he took a team that missed the tournament two years ago and turned them into a Top 10 preseason team is miraculous.
The limitations are obvious, though. They rely heavily on their starters. If Ejiofor gets into foul trouble, the drop-off to the bench can be steep, despite the development of guys like Handje Tamba. They also struggle occasionally with three-point consistency. They’re shooting about 35.8% as a team, which is good but not elite. In a tournament setting, one cold night from deep can end your season.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season
If you're following st john's basketball rankings for betting or just for pride, keep an eye on these three things:
- The Seton Hall Game: They play the Pirates on January 20th. Seton Hall is ranked No. 25 and is the only other Big East team currently in the Top 25 besides UConn. This is a massive "swing" game for the rankings.
- The "Road Warriors" Test: St. John's is 3-0 on the road in the conference. That is incredibly hard to do. If they can steal a win at Gampel Pavilion against UConn later this season, they will jump into the Top 10 immediately.
- Health is Wealth: Bryce Hopkins has a history of injuries. If he stays healthy, this is a Sweet 16 team. If he goes down, they are a bubble team.
Don't get too caught up in whether they are No. 18 or No. 22 this week. Focus on the NET. As long as they stay in the Top 25 of the NET rankings, they are in a great position to make a deep run in March. The Red Storm are finally relevant again, and honestly, college basketball is just better when Madison Square Garden is rocking in late March.