Rick Pitino is doing it again. Honestly, if you haven’t been paying attention to the Garden lately, you’re missing the most electric revival in New York City sports. The Red Storm isn't just "back" in the conversation; they are actively kicking down the door of the national elite.
Right now, St. John's sits at a 12-5 overall record with a 5-1 mark in Big East play. They just got through dismantling Marquette 92-68 at Madison Square Garden. It wasn't even close. Zuby Ejiofor is playing like a man possessed, and the rest of the conference is starting to look a little nervous.
The Zuby Ejiofor Leap is Real
Remember when everyone was hyped about Zuby coming over from Kansas? The potential was always there, but this season, he’s basically turned into a walking double-double with a mean streak. He was the preseason Big East Player of the Year for a reason.
In that Marquette blowout, Zuby dropped 22 points and grabbed 7 boards. He dominated the paint so thoroughly that Shaka Smart basically had no answer. It’s not just the scoring, though. It's the way he anchors the defense. The Red Storm is currently top-20 in the country in blocks, and a huge chunk of that is Zuby just being a literal wall at the rim.
Transfers That Actually Fit
We've all seen the "transfer portal disaster" stories where a coach just throws a bunch of talented kids together and hopes they like each other. That’s not what’s happening here. Rick Pitino has curated this roster like a fine wine. Or maybe more like a high-speed Italian sports car.
💡 You might also like: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
Take Oziyah Sellers. The Stanford transfer is finally the volume scorer everyone promised. He just put up 24 points against Marquette and 16 against Creighton. When he starts hitting from deep, the floor opens up for everyone else.
- Bryce Hopkins: The Providence transfer is the glue. He’s averaging about 13 points and 5 rebounds, providing that veteran "been there, done that" energy.
- Dillon Mitchell: A former top-10 recruit who brings elite athleticism. He had 18 in the season opener and continues to be a nightmare on the glass.
- Ian Jackson: The Bronx's own. Watching a local kid come back home and thrive is sort of what St. John's basketball is all about. He’s a Jerry West Award candidate and arguably the most exciting sophomore in the country.
St. John's Red Storm Basketball News: The Big East Gauntlet
Look, the Big East is a meat grinder. UConn is still UConn (they’re 17-1 and looking scary), and Villanova is sitting right there at 14-3. St. John's just jumped to the #26 spot in the NET rankings, and they’ve won three straight by double digits.
The road win at Creighton (90-73) was probably the turning point. St. John's had only won in Omaha once before in program history. Once. They went in there and shot 52% from three. Lefteris Liotopoulos, the freshman from Greece, came off the bench and hung 17 points on them. That’s the kind of depth that wins games in March.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pitino’s System
People think Pitino is just about the "press." It's more than that. It's about conditioning.
📖 Related: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
The Johnnies are currently averaging 86 points per game, which is second in the Big East. They want to run you into the ground. If you aren't in world-class shape, you’re going to gas out by the 12-minute mark of the second half. That’s exactly what happened to Georgetown and Butler. By the time the final whistle blows, the opposing team usually looks like they’ve just finished a marathon they didn't sign up for.
Recent Results & Upcoming Tests
- Jan 13: Win vs. Marquette (92-68) — Total dominance.
- Jan 10: Win @ Creighton (90-73) — The "statement" game.
- Jan 6: Win @ Butler (84-70) — Solid road work.
- Jan 17: @ Villanova — This is the one. A Saturday night showdown in Philly.
If they beat 'Nova on the road, the "RV" (Receiving Votes) tag next to their name is going to disappear and be replaced by a number in the teens. They are currently right on the edge of the Top 25.
The "New York City" Factor
There is something different about when St. John's is good. The Garden feels alive. The energy is just... grittier. Pitino mentioned after the Marquette game that he was impressed with the 92-68 win, but he immediately pivoted to the Villanova game. He’s never satisfied. That’s the Hall of Fame edge.
It’s also worth noting the recent front-office shakeup. St. John's recently fired their basketball General Manager. While that might sound like "drama," it feels more like Pitino tightening the screws. He wants everything perfect as they head into the back half of the conference schedule.
👉 See also: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
How to Follow the Surge
If you’re trying to catch the next wave, you need to watch the Villanova game on January 17th. It’s an 8:00 PM tip-off.
After that, they come back home to the Garden on January 20th to face a very tough Seton Hall team (14-3). That two-game stretch will basically determine if St. John's is a "nice story" or a legitimate Final Four contender.
Keep an eye on the following:
- Zuby Ejiofor’s foul trouble: He tends to pick up two quick ones. If he stays on the floor, St. John's is nearly unbeatable.
- The Freshmen: Liotopoulos and Kelvin Odih are getting more minutes. Their development is the "X-factor" for the bench.
- The NET Rankings: They need to keep stackings Quad 1 wins. The Creighton win was huge; a Villanova win would be massive.
St. John's has matched program records for home wins recently, and with 12-0 at MSG last year, the mystique is back. Don't be the person who jumps on the bandwagon in March. The time to watch is now.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the NET Rankings weekly: This is how the selection committee views the Johnnies. Currently #26, they want to be top 15 by February.
- Watch the "Red Storm Report" on MSGSN: It’s the best way to see the behind-the-scenes coaching adjustments Pitino is making.
- Prioritize the Villanova (Jan 17) and Seton Hall (Jan 20) games: These are the barometers for the season.
- Monitor the injury report for Bryce Hopkins: He’s been a bit banged up but is playing through it. His health is paramount for a deep run.