NEW YORK, NY — Find a way.
The St. John’s Red Storm, currently ranked No. 12 on the AP Poll, and No. 10 on the USA Today Coaches Poll, has instilled ‘finding a way’ in their everyday mindset this season, successfully executing on various ways to win.
In his second year as the Red Storm’s head coach, Rick Pitino has ignited St. John’s with a new identity, all based on winning – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
Tuesday night at The World’s Most Famous Arena was no different, defeating No. 11/11 Marquette, 70-64, in arguably the Johnnies’ biggest game in over two decades — their first top-15 head-to-head matchup since Jan. 30, 1999 vs. then No. 1 UConn, the eventual NCAA Champion.
In this one, over 26 years later, just like many envisioned, it took all 40 minutes. The Golden Eagles, led by head coach Shaka Smart, and the dynamic senior guard pairing of Kam Jones, and Stevie Mitchell, are a well-concise bunch on both ends of the floor — entering Tuesday as a top-20 team in several offensive and defensive categories across the country, including assist/turnover ratio and steals per game.
But, as St. John’s did once again, they found a way.
Kadary Richmond pumped up after he bullies his way to the rim for the bucket and one – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
Consistently crashing the boards and forcing pressure into the paint, the Red Storm, making for the more physical team, won the rebound contest on Marquette, 50-28, and scored 36 points in the paint compared to the Golden Eagles’ 28.
On top of that, St. John’s graduate guard Kadary Richmond, junior combo-guard RJ Luis Jr., and junior forward Zuby Ejiofor, neutralized Jones, a candidate for the Big East Player of the Year Award, to just 15 points. He came into Tuesday as the second-leading scorer in the conference at 19 points per game.
While defending the soon-to-be NBA first round draft selection, Jones, the Johnnie trio of Richmond, Luis Jr., and Ejiofor, each recorded a double-double — Richmond: 18 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, Luis Jr.: 17 points, 11 rebounds, four steals, and three blocks, & Ejiofor: 13 points, 13 rebounds.
Dominican-Ecuadorian RJ Luis Jr. continues to impress all of NYC – Image Credit: St. John’s Men’s Basketball
The three Johnnies, putting up box office performances, making for all of 16,521 in attendance at MSG erupt on several instances, combined for 48 of the team’s 70 points, and 35 of their 50 rebounds.
“This is a very unique team,” said St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino after the victory, featuring a 17-31 (54.8%) clip from the charity stripe. “They deny statistical data, they just defy all statistical data. In almost every single game, their effort level is so incredibly high. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen something like this. Effort level-wise, real proud of that. Great win, great team that we beat.”
The Rise of RJ
Dominican-Ecuadorian RJ Luis Jr., hailing from Miami, Florida, has continued his ascension in the world we call, ‘College Hoops,’ as Tuesday’s showing marked his seventh double-double of the season, and 22nd game of the year in double-scoring figures.
To rewind to less than a year ago, Luis Jr. underwent surgery on both of his shins due to shin splints which forced him to deal with and play through for a large portion of the 2023-2024 season, a campaign where at times, he couldn’t even participate in practice due to pain management.
As a result of his proper recovery, mental fortitude and superb talent on the hardwood, Luis Jr. is now putting on a show for all of New York City to come out and witness on a nightly basis.
When asked if he feels himself progressing game by game compared to last season, all while having the Big Apple behind him in support, Luis Jr. said, “One hundred percent. I feel like the main reason for that is I’m healthy now, you know, after I had the double shin surgery…
Just to have the support from the fans and the whole city — I love it. I see a lot more people coming out to the games, and I think we’re going to need that. We’re going to need that support.”
Forecast Shows a Red Storm in NYC
There are dozens of fan bases across the nation who pack Madison Square Garden, but none can gather the support of New York City and unify the Big Apple like St. John’s had done decades ago and is back to doing currently under the leadership of Pitino in his second year…
This Is Big East Basketball in NYC 🏀🍎#SJUBB #MUBB #CollegeHoops #BigEast | @BIGEASTMBB | @TheGarden pic.twitter.com/VRS1FLz7Cz
— Latino Sports (@LatinoSports) February 5, 2025
There is legitimate buzz circulating around the Tri-State area and it’s all been based upon this year’s Red Storm. St. John’s is now 20-3 overall on the year, and 11-1 in Big East Conference Play, marking the first time in program history since the 1985-1986 season and 1984-1985 season, respectively.
“I’m so proud of this team,” Pitino said. “I’ve been proud of a lot of teams, but I’m so proud of this team. They just are so refreshing with the way they play and how hard they play. They deserve all the credit in the world.”
What’s Next: St. John’s is headed to Storrs
The No. 12 ranked Red Storm (20-3, 11-1 in BE Play) and No. 19 ranked UConn Huskies, the defending NCAA back-to-back champs, (16-6, 8-3 in BE Play), will meet this coming Friday night, February 7th, in a Big East showdown at Gampel Pavilion.
Tip-off at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
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