The St. John’s Red Storm achieved a significant milestone by defeating the UConn Huskies 81-72 over the weekend, causing a shake-up in the AP men’s basketball rankings. This upset win propelled St. John’s from the brink of the poll at No. 25 to the No. 17 spot, marking a remarkable ascent for the team. UConn, previously ranked No. 3 and riding an impressive 18-game winning streak, dropped to No. 6 in the latest poll following their loss.
This victory is particularly historic for St. John’s, as it represents their first win against a top-10 team in the AP poll since Rick Pitino was appointed head coach ahead of the 2023-24 season. Pitino is in his third year at the helm and has already made significant strides with the program, including achieving a personal milestone of 900 career coaching wins earlier this season. Under his leadership, the Red Storm advanced to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament, breaking a five-year drought from March Madness.
St. John’s is currently boasting an overall record of 18-5 and holds an impressive 11-1 record in the Big East standings, just behind UConn, who is 12-1 in conference play. The team is closely followed by Villanova at 9-3, setting the stage for an upcoming crucial matchup on February 28 that could have significant implications for conference tournament seeding.
Outstanding performances on the court have characterized St. John’s recent success, with senior forward Zuby Eijofor leading the charge against UConn. Eijofor recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and three blocked shots in the game. This season, he has emerged as St. John’s leading scorer, averaging 15.9 points per game, with a shooting rate of 53 percent from the field and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc.
As the season progresses, the Red Storm’s momentum and resilience present a hopeful narrative for both the team and their supporters, who will be eagerly anticipating the pivotal matchups ahead.