What Is St. John’s Basketball Today?
St. John’s basketball is the men’s program of St. John’s University, known as the Red Storm, competing in NCAA Division I as a member of the Big East Conference and playing a split home schedule between Carnesecca Arena in Queens and Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.
Under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, St. John’s has transitioned from a rebuilding project to a national contender, entering the 2025-26 season ranked in the AP preseason top five after a 31-win campaign that marked its best year in four decades.
2025-26 Season: Schedule, Results and Expectations
The 2025-26 Red Storm have opened with a challenging nonconference slate, including high-scoring contests against ranked Alabama, Iowa State and Auburn, alongside wins over Quinnipiac, William & Mary, Bucknell and Ole Miss that pushed their early record to 5-3 and showcased an explosive offense against quality opposition.
Upcoming games feature Iona at Madison Square Garden, early Big East tests against DePaul and Georgetown, and a headline matchup versus Kentucky in Atlanta as part of the CBS Sports Classic, giving St. John’s multiple national TV stages to prove its top‑10 credentials and bolster its NCAA Tournament seeding profile.
Roster Overhaul and Program-Wide Impact
Facing the departure of eight players from last season’s squad, Pitino built one of the country’s strongest transfer classes and paired it with returning leaders like senior forward Sadiku Ibine Ayo and young big man Ruben Prey, aiming for a deep, versatile rotation that can pressure opponents defensively and run in transition.
The resurgence of St. John’s basketball has revived energy in New York City’s college hoops scene, strengthened the national profile of the Big East, and created a destination program for transfers and recruits seeking both elite coaching and the exposure that comes with playing marquee games at Madison Square Garden.