The resurgence of St. Johns: 2026 edition

After a slow start to their season, the St. John’s men’s basketball team has surged in Big East play since the last time I wrote about them, climbing to 10-1 in conference action and second place in the standings.

Despite starting the new year with a loss, January was the Johnnies’ month as they rattled off seven straight conference wins to erase early-season doubts and reestablish themselves as strong contenders in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. They opened February by extending their hot streak to eight with a win over DePaul.

The Red Storm have also returned to the AP Top 25 and currently sit at No. 22 after completely falling from the rankings earlier this season.

Earlier this season, St. John’s struggled with defensive lapses, turnovers and rebounding, allowing opponents to dictate pace and capitalize on second-chance opportunities.

Since the start of the new year, resiliency and utter dominance have defined the Johnnies’ play. St. John’s resurgence has been largely driven by defensive improvements, playing with intensity and better control of the game’s tempo.

During that stretch, the Red Storm secured statement wins over their Big East opponents, including a hard-fought 88-83 victory over Xavier after escaping a 16-point deficit in the second half, which gave Head Coach Rick Pitino his 900th career win and a 65-60 come-from-behind win over Seton Hall.

What initially appeared to be a new team struggling to gel has evolved into a disciplined, confident group that continues to find ways to win on both ends of the court. In recent weeks, St. John’s has limited mistakes while continuing to apply pressure on the defensive end, forcing opponents into difficult possessions.

Key contributors to the Johnnies’ success have been Bryce Hopkins and Ian Jackson, both of whom are putting up career-high numbers on offense.

Hopkins’ turnaround has been particularly notable following an inconsistent start to the season, as he has played with more physicality and consistency on the floor.

Team leader Zuby Ejiofor continues to be a force inside the paint, surpassing 1,000 career points in St. John’s most recent win over DePaul on Feb. 3rd. He’s been a consistent physical presence for the Johnnies all season, especially with his strength and rebounding ability.

Team momentum has extended beyond the starting lineup, where players coming off the bench have stepped up in recent weeks, providing energy and depth for the Red Storm.

Players such as Dylan Darling and Lefteris Liotopoulos have provided offensive value off the bench, scoring in big spots while contributing on the defensive end.

With both starters and reserves contributing, St. John’s has become a force that is difficult for opponents to contain. Their strong play has helped fans almost forget the slow start to their season.

As Big East play enters its final stretch, the Johnnies will need to keep proving themselves as top contenders, especially entering March.

Their biggest test comes Friday night, when they host the No. 3 UConn Huskies at Madison Square Garden. With all of New York City behind them, St. John’s is ready for an intense matchup and a strong finish to their season.

Gina Scarpa is a second-year student studying broadcast journalism. To contact her, please email gfs5427@psu.edu.