St. John’s University Poised for Sweet 16 Challenge
WASHINGTON — St. John’s University found itself in an unusual yet exciting situation on Friday night.
No, not the Sweet 16—though that’s a new milestone. It’s the first time in 27 years that the team is heading into the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament.
Tonight, they face the formidable top-seeded Duke in the East Regional semifinals at Capital One Arena. Back in early January, the No. 5 Red Storm had a record of 9-5, leaving many wondering if they’d even qualify for the tournament.
Connecticut State was expected to lead the Big East, but St. John’s had other plans, taking down the Huskies in both the regular season and postseason titles, culminating in a tournament championship win.
“We’ve felt like underdogs,” Dylan Darling mentioned. “Starting at 9-5, there were so many questions about our team. We began to foster a winning mentality, and it grew as we approached March,” he added.
The next challenge, however, will be the toughest yet. Duke (34-2), the top seed overall, is likely to see Cameron Boozer snag the National Player of the Year award, having lost only twice this season.
The Blue Devils rank among the nation’s elite in offensive and defensive efficiency. Plus, they’re getting healthier. Center Patrick Gomba II, key to Duke’s strong defense, might see more playtime after his limited minutes in a second-round match against No. 9 TCU. Additionally, point guard Caleb Foster, recovering from foot surgery, could also rejoin the lineup.
“We recognize we’re up against a great team,” commented coach Rick Pitino.
Yet, No. 5 St. John’s (30-6) proved its worth. Since January 4, their record stands at 21-1, matching Duke’s. They managed to overcome a challenging bracket and surprising seeding to move past the first weekend, clinching a memorable victory against fourth-seeded Kansas with a buzzer-beater from Dahlin. This return to the national spotlight is significant, especially after more than two decades of relative obscurity before Pitino’s arrival three years ago.
“I can’t afford to be complacent right now. If I go against a team like Duke with that mindset, we’ll get overwhelmed,” Pitino warned. “We have to stay hungry and cultivate that belief. Without it, we usually find ourselves going home.”
When asked about St. John’s hunger to win, Pitino joked, “Yes, he hasn’t eaten in a week. Just water and fruit juice!”
This team remains driven to keep their dream season alive. When Pitino and his staff assembled the roster, the aim extended beyond just reaching the Sweet 16. They had bigger aspirations.
In the preseason, when St. John’s was ranked No. 5, its highest ever, Bryce Hopkins expressed ambitions of reaching the Final Four and clinching the national championship. That was among the reasons transfers Dillon Mitchell, Ojia Sellers, and Hopkins chose to join the star forward Zubby Ejiofor in Queens. They all wanted to achieve greatness in their final year.
“Anyone can get eliminated in March,” emphasized Hopkins. “It’s about who really wants it. Our seniors want to exit in a memorable way.”
St. John’s securing back-to-back Big East regular season championships for the first time ever is already quite remarkable. Before this season, they had never won consecutive Big East Tournament championships. Now, they have the opportunity to challenge one of the sport’s giants and move closer to college basketball’s pinnacle.
“I think we’re a solid basketball team. Can we beat Duke? Honestly, I’m not sure,” Pitino reflected. “But we’re incredibly hungry. What Sweet 16 team isn’t? We’re just four games away from the national championship. That’s the dream for every athlete, every coach, and every fan.”
