The Red Storm are picked in the middle of the conference for a second straight season
Big East coaches have chosen St. John’s to finish fifth in the conference’s preseason men’s basketball coaches’ poll released on Wednesday morning. They received 70 total votes, none of which were first place tallies.
The 2024-2025 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches Poll!
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— BIG EAST MBB (@BIGEASTMBB) October 23, 2024
Last season, the coaches also picked St. John’s to finish fifth in the conference ahead of Rick Pitino’s first season leading the program. They were spot-on, with St. John’s finishing in fifth place with a conference record of 11-9.
Another fifth-place finish seems like a modest prediction considering the major offseason acquisitions and lofty expectations for the Red Storm.
All-conference guard Kadary Richmond swapped out his Seton Hall blue for some St. John’s red, joining fellow transfer additions Deivon Smith from Utah, Aaron Scott from North Texas, and Vince Iwuchukwu from USC on this year’s squad. Returnees Simeon Wilcher and Zuby Ejiofor are also poised to break out this season.
Rick Pitino-led teams also tend to improve noticeably after his first season. Providence, Kentucky, and Louisville all enjoyed win improvements of six games or better in Rick Pitino’s second season of coaching at each school. Last season, St. John’s finished with a 20-13 record. You can do the math there.
The Red Storm will tip off their 2024-25 season against the Fordham Rams on Monday, November 4, at Carnesecca Arena (6:30 p.m., FS1).