For the first time in program history, St. John’s have won the Big East regular season title in back-to-back seasons, and they won’t be sharing it either time.
The Red Storm already clinched a share of the Big East regular season title following their 72-65 win over Seton Hall on Friday night, then won the title outright following UConn’s shocking upset loss to Marquette on the final day of the regular season. The Huskies needed a win to tie the Johnnies’ 18-2 conference record and clinch a share of the regular season crown,
but they were stopped on their final shot and fell to the 12-19 Golden Eagles. Adding insult to injury, head coach Dan Hurley was ejected after appearing to bump into referee John Gaffney with 0.4 seconds left. The Big East later issued a $25,000 fine to Hurley for his conduct.
This season’s title is the Red Storm’s seventh Big East regular-season crown in program history, having previously won in 1980, 1983, 1985, 1986, 1992, and 2025. St. John’s had captured the regular season title in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1985 and 1986, but they shared the title with Syracuse in 1986.
St. John’s matched a conference record of 18 wins in Big East play this season, tying their 2024-25 team and the 2023-24 UConn team. Over the last two seasons, the Red Storm were 36-4 in Big East regular season games, setting a record for most conference victories by a Big East school in a two-season span. No member has ever won more than 32 games across two seasons.
Head coach Rick Pitino captured his 14th regular season title as a college coach. The Hall of Famer also clinched his fourth Big East championship, having previously won two at Louisville in 2009 and 2013, as well as these last two seasons.
The 1-seed Red Storm (25-6) begin their quest to win their fifth Big East Tournament on Thursday when they play the winner of Butler vs. Providence in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, March 12. Tip-off is scheduled for 12 p.m., and the game can be streamed on Peacock.
