Rhodeley, Providence – More than four months ago, this unexpected journey began with Fordham's throttling at Carnecka Arena.
It was similar to many openers over the years: one-sided victory over an overwhelmed opponent and the feeling that anything is possible.
Mostly, disappointment continued in Queens.
Not this year. It's not this winter.
St. John fans were instead treated in the season they had been waiting for almost forever, a campaign where Johnny didn't disappoint them.
They shocked those loyalists.
They continued to win, claiming their first complete Big East regular season crown in school since 1985, winning their first Big East tournament in 25 years.
RJ Luis Jr. became the first St. John's player to be named the league's Player of the Year since Walter Berry in 1986.
Zuby Ejiofor has evolved into a star.
Kadary Richmond now supports rankings as a top player to enter the transfer portal.
That led to this: a chance to continue playing.
To punch tickets to the Sweet 16, they became the first St. John's team to advance in the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament since Ron Artrest, with Boots Seethornton and Mike Jarvis-led groups reaching the Elite 8 in 1999.
Check out the latest Big East rankings and cents. John's statistics
“I'm a little excited and I'm amazed at the season,” coach Rick Pitino told the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Friday. “These are unknown waters, so you never know what that will happen.
“I was really excited about last year's team at the end of the year, so I suddenly kept winning. [this year]get better, fight, fight. We had a lot of close games. We won with the buzzer without time on the clock [in this building]. It was just an amazing run. We've had a lot of excitement. ”
The hope is that it doesn't end here, that St. John's (31-4) can overcome a talented, but inconsistent Razorback.
It's not easy.
Arkansas (21-13) has an impressive victory over the 7th Kansas, with the size and athletic ability that can bring trouble to the Red Storm.
They started 0-5 in SEC play and then went 10-6, with five of these losses coming to the tournament team.
Arkansas has reclaimed five-star freshman Boogie Fland from a thumb injury to Kansas.
“I mean, kids try to persuade me,” Calipari said. “You have to go there and help, and Boogie could do that. But I saw something crazy.”
Start is the key. St. John's has made habits from rallying from the deficit, earning over 14 points when he won five times this season.
They were not sharp early in Omaha's opening round defeat.
Arkansas is another animal.
“You can't start like that. [Saturday]Richmond said.
St. John's is not ready to finish his ride.
This could be Richmond, Aaron Scott and Davon Smith's final college game.
Lewis can go to a pro.
After Thursday's victory, Egiofort noted that this is probably one of the first six steps of the ultimate goal of the national championship.
“It's a lifetime opportunity. Everyone wants to play basketball in March,” the junior forward said. “It's time to create memories with my teammates (long-lasting memories). It's the best thing I've ever had in my life and I just want to keep moving forward.”
He paused and added: “I don't want to go home, especially with the number of seniors we have on the team. No one wants to end their season, definitely not me or anyone on this team.
