Ninth-ranked St. John’s University has decided to relocate its last home game of the regular season from the intimate Carnesecca Arena to the iconic Madison Square Garden, as announced on Wednesday. This game against Big East opponent Seton Hall is now scheduled to take place on March 1 at the renowned venue, instead of the originally planned location in Queens.
The change was made in response to growing demand from the Red Storm fan base. Carnesecca Arena, which accommodates 5,602 spectators, will no longer serve as the venue for this important matchup, as MSG can hold approximately 19,812 basketball fans. Before the match against Seton Hall, St. John’s will also celebrate Senior Day, honoring the contributions of graduating players.
The Red Storm, boasting a 21-4 overall record and a strong 12-2 conference performance, has captured renewed interest this season. Their recent game at The Garden witnessed a turnout of 16,521 fans on February 4, where they triumphed over then-No. 11 Marquette with a score of 70-64. Just three days prior, an impressive crowd of 19,196 gathered to watch St. John’s narrowly defeat Providence, 68-66, during a Saturday afternoon game at Madison Square Garden.
Eager to claim their first Big East regular-season title since 1992, the Johnnies are enjoying their best record through 25 games since the 1985-86 season. They are also experiencing their highest ranking in a quarter-century in the AP Top 25. In only their second season under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino, St. John’s sits atop the conference standings, holding a narrow one-game lead over No. 24 Creighton. A highly anticipated meeting between these teams at MSG is set for this Sunday.
The university has not participated in the NCAA Tournament for six years and last won a game in the tournament in 2000. Coach Pitino expressed his enthusiasm for the resurgence of St. John’s basketball, stating, “Seeing St. John’s come back is so much fun. I’m having a blast seeing The Garden explode like this. I’m so happy for the fans and so appreciative of everybody coming out and being supportive of us.”
However, the Red Storm’s recent 73-71 loss at Villanova on Wednesday ended their impressive 10-game winning streak. With four losses this season—each by a slim margin of just seven points—St. John’s showcases resilience and determination throughout the campaign. The upcoming game against Seton Hall will mark their ninth regular-season match at Madison Square Garden, their highest number in a decade, as the only Big East opponents who faced them at Carnesecca Arena this season were DePaul and Butler.
