St. John’s University men’s basketball team is set to face a significant early-season challenge Sunday when they host No. 7-ranked Texas at Madison Square Garden. The game, scheduled for a noon tipoff, will serve as a crucial test for the No. 13 Red Storm, who are still working to find consistency after uneven performances in their opening games against Drexel and Rutgers.
Texas, regarded as one of the elite programs nationally this season, arrives under the guidance of coach Sean Miller with a roster described as big, deep, and physical. The Longhorns hold a No. 7 ranking in the Associated Press preseason poll, underscoring the strength of the opponent St. John’s will confront.
St. John’s coach Rick Pitino acknowledged the disparity between the two teams, emphasizing that his squad is not yet prepared, particularly on offense and defense, to compete at the level of Texas. Speaking via Zoom, Pitino compared Sunday’s matchup to last season’s exhibition against eventual national champion Michigan, calling it a valuable opportunity to assess areas for improvement.
The Red Storm’s recent performance included a taxing quadruple-overtime victory over an improving Rutgers team. Despite rallying from a 20-point deficit and ultimately prevailing, Pitino expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s first-half struggles and inconsistency, warning that a similar effort against Texas could result in a large defeat.
While critical, Pitino remains optimistic about the roster’s potential, describing this St. John’s team as the most talented he has coached at the university. However, he noted that the team’s development has been slowed partly due to the newness of the lineup. Only Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey return as key contributors from last year, with several transfers, including Reed Bailey from Indiana and Keyshawn Hall from Auburn, having joined late in the offseason.
Pitino stressed the need for his players to shift focus away from scoring toward improving defense, rebounding, and team play. He singled out players such as Quinn Ellis, who he praised for his defensive mindset, contrasting him with others like Yessoufou Tounde, Babacar Sane, Hall, Jackson, and Lefteris Liotopoulos, who he said remain primarily focused on offense. The coach hopes to see a collective effort to prioritize assists and avoid rushed, contested shots.
In preparation for the game, Pitino enlisted the help of former player Chris Brickley, now a trainer for several NBA athletes, to reinforce the message of team-oriented basketball. Brickley echoed Pitino’s call for the Red Storm to adopt a selfless approach, emphasizing defense and playmaking over individual scoring.
Reflecting on his history at St. John’s, Pitino acknowledged that his teams often start slowly but improve as the season progresses. He expressed confidence this group will follow a similar trajectory, describing the players as “great guys” who will build cohesion with time, though noting they are not yet ready to compete with a team like Texas.