Rick Pitino has brought championship expectations back to St. John's.
Following a 30–7 campaign, consecutive Big East regular-season and tournament championships, and a Sweet 16 appearance, the Red Storm enter the 2026–27 season at No. 13 in the S³ Preseason Top 25.
The expectations have changed. Simply reaching the NCAA Tournament is no longer enough.
Yessoufou Leads a Dangerous Offense
Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou arrives in Queens after an impressive freshman season that included averages of 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.0 steals.
His athleticism, physicality and ability to attack the basket make him one of the Big East's most dangerous offensive weapons.
Yessoufou won't have to carry the offense alone.
Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall averaged 19.3 points last season, while returning guard Ian Jackson gives St. John's another explosive scoring option.
Quinn Ellis brings international experience and additional playmaking ability.
The combination gives Pitino several players capable of creating offense without depending entirely on one scorer.
Talent Alone Won't Win the Big East
St. John's enters the season with considerable offensive potential, but its reconstructed rotation must establish chemistry.
Perimeter shooting remains a legitimate concern. Yessoufou struggled from three-point range last season, and the Red Storm connected on just five three-pointers during their October 25 exhibition victory over Texas.
That exhibition provided an encouraging indication of the team's potential, with Hall, Yessoufou and Jackson combining for 65 points in an 87–74 victory.
However, St. John's must develop consistent perimeter execution and frontcourt production to challenge the nation's elite.
A Difficult Ranked Schedule
St. John's has at least five guaranteed matchups against teams appearing in the official AP Preseason Top 25.
Four have fixed opponents, with an average ranking of No. 8.3.
| Opponent | AP Rank | Games |
|---|---|---|
| UConn | #4 | 2 |
| Arizona | #5 | 1 |
| Alabama | #20 | 1 |
| Louisville or Texas Tech | #11 or #19 | 1 |
| Minimum Total | 5 |
The November 26 Players Era matchup will determine the fifth opponent's ranking. Additional ranked competition is possible later in the event.
Two meetings against UConn could ultimately determine the Big East regular-season championship.
Can St. John's Win the Big East?
Absolutely.
The Red Storm have captured consecutive conference regular-season and tournament championships under Pitino.
UConn enters as the preseason favorite, but St. John's has enough offensive talent, defensive potential and coaching experience to challenge for another championship.
The biggest question is whether Pitino can turn his new collection of players into a cohesive team quickly enough to compete with the Huskies.
S³ Season Projection
| Category | S³ Prediction |
|---|---|
| S³ Ranking | #13 |
| AP Preseason Ranking | #13 |
| Proposed Regular Season | 26–6 |
| Big East Record | 15–5 |
| Best Player | Tounde Yessoufou |
| Biggest X-Factor | Keyshawn Hall |
| Minimum Ranked Games | 5 |
| Average of 4 Fixed Ranked Games | #8.3 |
| Big East Championship | Serious contender |
| Expected NCAA Finish | Sweet 16 |
| Tournament Ceiling | Elite Eight |
| Possible Downside | Round of 32 |
| Further Downside | First-round upset |
The record prediction assumes 32 regular-season games and excludes a potential fourth Players Era contest.
S³ Final Word
Rick Pitino has restored St. John's reputation as a nationally competitive basketball program.
The Red Storm have the scoring talent, physicality and coaching to compete with some of the nation's strongest teams.
But last season's championship accomplishments do not guarantee another successful campaign.
The additions of Yessoufou and Hall provide immediate offensive firepower, while Jackson and Ellis give St. John's multiple backcourt options.
S³ projects a 26–6 regular season and another Sweet 16 appearance.
Reaching the Elite Eight would exceed our preseason expectations and represent another significant step forward for the program.
S³ Prediction: 26–6 | Sweet 16 | Elite Eight Ceiling.
Rank the team, not the reputation.
