The Red Storm is rising. Led by the 72 year old head coach Rick Pitino, St. John’s is going to make a deep run in the March Madness tournament, just wait. This team has an outstanding perimeter defense, holding teams to 65 points a game. Statistically, the Red Storm is the second best defense in the league according to Kempong. Many teams fear matching up against St. John’s because of their relentless defensive pressure and ability to force turnovers, making every possession a battle.

Don’t sleep on their offense either. The name to remember for March? Kadary Richmond. Richmond has the best mid-range jump shot in college basketball right now. He averages 13 points a game and shoots 50% from the field. Richmond leads the team in assists at 5 per game. The offense runs through this 6`6 senior guard. 

Beyond Richmond, St. John’s has a deep, balanced squad with multiple players stepping up. 

Zeb Ejiofor dominates the paint with his rebounding and interior presence, while pure scorers like R.J. Luiz provide space to improve their play style. Pitino has instilled a winning mentality in this team, and their ability to execute in close games is a reflection of leadership and his experience. 

St. John’s has already proven they can keep up with the best, racking up key wins against UConn (twice), Creighton, and Marquette. Pitino’s squad thrives in high pressure moments, and with his championship record, this team is built to make noise in the tournament. When the brackets drop, don’t be surprised when the Red Storm sneak into the final four.