The excitement buzzing through St. John's is palpable as fans eagerly await the debut of the first AP preseason poll – a moment that could herald a thrilling comeback for the Red Storm after what feels like an eternity!
St. John's doesn't kick off its official season until November 3, when they welcome Quinnipiac to campus. Fans won't get their first real peek at the team until the exhibition match against Towson this Saturday. And a true measure of their potential won't emerge until the final preseason showdown on October 25 against Michigan at Madison Square Garden.
But let's be clear: The college basketball world lights up this Monday.
That's when the Associated Press releases its national rankings around noon, and St. John's stands a strong chance of landing in the top 10 – a feat unseen since the 1991-92 campaign. In fact, the Red Storm haven't graced the preseason rankings for over 26 years, making this a landmark occasion.
And this is the part most people miss – it's precisely why Rick Pitino's third year at the helm promises to be the most hyped season in recent history, or perhaps ever.
“I believe ESPN placed us at five. The AP will slot us wherever they see fit,” Pitino shared during a Wednesday presser at the Garden. “But honestly, rankings don't matter much because we'll truly test ourselves against Michigan and Alabama on November 8 at MSG. We might start 10-0 like St. John's has in the past, leaving everyone guessing if we're truly elite. But those games will reveal our true mettle.”
Michigan, Alabama, and Iowa State – the latter facing St. John's in the second of three games at the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas – are all poised to earn spots in that poll too.
Plus, plenty of St. John's loyalists will be glued to the rankings, curious to see if Big East rival Connecticut edges them out or falls behind. Creighton could also snag a position.
The Red Storm are welcoming back All-Big East first-team selection Zuby Ejiofor, who's in the running for Big East Preseason Player of the Year this Thursday. They've also scooped up a top-tier transfer class, as rated by 247sports.com, which directly addresses last year's biggest weakness: dismal shooting. Enter North Carolina's Ian Jackson, Stanford's Oziyah Sellers, Providence's Bryce Hopkins, and Arizona State's Joson Sanon – all elite marksmen ready to light it up from beyond the arc. With this firepower, St. John's looks primed to maintain the spotlight they captured during their impressive 31-5 run just last year.
To put this into perspective for newcomers to college hoops, think of preseason rankings like a popularity contest for teams: It's based on votes from media and coaches predicting who'll dominate. St. John's last cracked the AP poll midway through the previous season, their first such appearance since a brief stint in 2018-19. Staying ranked? That hadn't happened since 2014-15. They peaked at No. 5 before bowing out in the Round of 32 of the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed against Arkansas.
But here's where it gets controversial: Last season marked the first in a generation where St. John's fans spent their weekends anxiously checking Monday's rankings to see where the Storm stood nationally.
St. John's might just be on the cusp of becoming one of those rare programs that stays ranked throughout the entire season – something they last achieved 45 years ago. Their demanding schedule, featuring clashes with Alabama, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Iowa State, Baylor, and one more major opponent yet to be announced for the final Las Vegas game, makes it just as plausible for them to slip out of the rankings as it is for them to climb to the top spot.
Is all this preseason buzz justified, or could it set up a fall like so many overhyped teams before? Do you think Pitino's words downplay the poll's importance, or is he wisely focusing on games that matter? Share your thoughts – do you see St. John's ascending to No. 1, or tumbling early? What's your prediction for their showdowns against Michigan and Alabama? Drop your opinions in the comments; I'd love to hear if you're team hype or cautious!
At long last, the thrill is about to unfold.
By Roger Rubin
Roger Rubin rejoined Newsday in 2018 to cover high school, college, and baseball scenes after two decades at the Daily News. As a Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he's reported on 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
