St. John’s returns to top 25 rankings after perfect week
It took a lot of winning and a number of teams ahead of them losing in the last week, but St. John’s is back in the Associated Press top 25 after a two-month absence.
Rick Pitino’s first-place Johnnies returned to the national rankings after another perfect week, slotting in at No. 20.
It is their highest spot in the top 25 since the 2014-15 season. That was also the last time St. John’s reached the main draw of the NCAA Tournament.
“It means a lot,” senior forward Aaron Scott said before the new rankings were released. “If we stay in the rankings the rest of the season, we make the tournament, so that’s our goal: Get in the rankings and stay in the rankings.”
It edged Georgetown at home and hammered Seton Hall, improving to 11-1 over the last 12 games and taking over the top spot in the Big East.
St. John’s (16-3, 7-1) will host Xavier, which is coming off a road upset over No. 10 Marquette, on Wednesday at the Garden. That is followed by a six-day layoff. The other Big East team ranked is Connecticut at No. 19.
CHECK OUT THE LATEST BIG EAST STANDINGS AND ST. JOHN’S STATS
At 16-3, St. John’s is off to its best start through 19 games since the 1998-99 season. That team started 8-1 in league play, which the Red Storm can match by knocking off Xavier on Wednesday.
Ultimately, the AP poll won’t factor into what happens in March, whether St. John’s reaches the NCAA Tournament or where it will be seeded. But it is good optics this deep into the season for the Johnnies to have a number next to their name, and shows the strides this group has made.
“I think it’s extremely significant. I think it’s a true testament to obviously the university’s commitment to basketball, starting with Father [Brian] Shanley’s decision to hire Coach Pitino, and having Coach Pitino, obviously one of the greats to do this, and what that impact has been,” athletic director Ed Kull said on Monday over Zoom. “There’s not a better message, showing signs of growth and success, than being in the top-25 and being in first place in the Big East.
“I think it means everything. I know there’s been frustration from the fan base over those last three decades. Just like any professional team in this professional sports city of New York City. I think it’s truly a remarkable sign of success and honestly, we talk about revenue sharing and NIL giving and capital campaigns and fundraising, what an amazing testament to what success can look, what it can be, that it is achievable. … We are doing it, it is heading in the right direction and now is the time to get involved. It’s a tremendous testament to what Coach Pitino has done here with this program and for us as a University with Father Shanley’s leadership, now there’s no excuse to not invest or come to games or get behind this program.”
