In a dramatic finish to their regular season, the St. John’s Red Storm, under the guidance of coach Rick Pitino, showcased their resilience and preparedness for the challenges of the NCAA Tournament. On Saturday, the sixth-ranked Red Storm secured a thrilling 86-84 victory over the 20th-ranked Marquette in overtime, marking their sixth consecutive win.
A stunning buzzer-beater from Zuby Ejiofor sealed the win, following an equalizing basket by RJ Luis Jr. with just 10.7 seconds remaining in regulation, pushing the game into overtime.
Pitino, reflecting on the nail-biting victory, expressed his satisfaction, calling it his favorite win of the season. Despite having already clinched their first outright Big East regular-season title since 1985 and playing without starter Deivon Smith due to injury, Pitino emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as they gear up for their first NCAA Tournament since 2019.
Heeding Pitino’s lessons, the team approached this game with the intensity of a one-and-done scenario, reinforcing the mentality required for success in March Madness.
The win highlighted St. John’s potential to enter the postseason with a top-five ranking, a feat not achieved since January 1991. Although a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament seems unlikely, as they were ranked 19th in the NET standings entering the game, they aim to secure a significant position next week, beyond just clinching the Big East title—a feat last accomplished in 2000, coinciding with their last NCAA Tournament victory.
The team’s dynamism is largely accredited to RJ Luis Jr., considered for Big East player of the year, who led with 28 points and 11 rebounds. Adding to the team’s formidable strength is Kadary Richmond, a Seton Hall transfer, who delivered St. John’s first triple-double this century against Marquette, marking another historical achievement for the team.
Richmond’s triple-double recalls the program’s glory days when Ron Artest, now known as Metta World Peace, last achieved it in 1999 during a streak of three straight March Madness appearances.
St. John’s matched their regular-season win record with 27 victories, paralleling the remarkable 1985-86 team led by Walter Berry, which earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
The spirit of the 1980s St. John’s teams, once led by coach Lou Carnesecca, resonates with today’s Red Storm. The winning play on Saturday embodied their tenacity. After RJ Luis missed a crucial three-pointer, and the rebound slipped through Marquette’s hands, Simeon Wilcher seized the opportunity. In the game’s dying moments, Wilcher passed to Ejiofor, who delivered his second game-winning buzzer shot of the season. Ejiofor echoed the team’s gritty ethos, stating they are ready and determined to excel in March.
The Red Storm’s thrilling win and their steadfast commitment to victory set the scene for an exciting March as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
