As St. John’s built one of the most transfer rosters in the nation this summer, it became clear that they would open the preseason as a top-10 ranked team in the AP poll. The only question was where they would be ranked.
We have our answer on Monday afternoon. The Red Storm are ranked No. 5 in the preseason AP poll, their highest ranking to open a season in program history.
The Johnnies join UConn as the only two Big East teams ranked in this season’s preseason AP poll, who were just ahead of St. John’s at No. 4. No other conference mates received votes.
Hall of Fame head coach Rick Pitino enters his third season leading the charge in Queens with major expectations as the Red Storm hope to return to the NCAA Tournament with a high seed, reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1999, and make their first Final Four appearance in 41 years.
He has the Jimmies and Joes to accomplish all three feats. Big East Most Improved Player Zuby Ejiofor returns for his senior season and joins a galactico-style transfer class of Bryce Hopkins from Providence, Ian Jackson from North Carolina, Dillon Mitchell from Cincinnati, Joson Sanon from Arizona State, Oziyah Sellers from Stanford, and Dylan Darling from Idaho State.
Fifth-ranked St. John’s will take on the Quinnipiac Bobcats in their first preseason exhibition at Carnesecca Arena on Saturday, October 18. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
