Breaking Down What a Successful Season Would Look Like for St. John's Basketball

Here's what a successful season would look like for the St. John's Red Storm.

Mar 26, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino speaks with the media during a press conference ahead of the east regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The St. John’s Red Storm have started practice, and a big season for the program is right around the corner.  

With year four of the Rick Pitino era set to start soon, the team is going to be looking to take another step forward. When Pitino took over, the goal for the team was to change the narrative surrounding the team. 

In the first three years, that has certainly been the case. While the team missed the NCAA Tournament in the first season, the argument was certainly there that they could have made it. 

However, Pitino and the team bounced back in a big way and, in year two, won 31 games and a Big East Title, but got eliminated in the Round of 32 against the Arkansas Razorbacks. 

As a two seed in the tournament that year, it was a bit of a disappointment to get knocked out so early. Last year, the team once again hit the 30-win mark, won the Big East Title, and then reached the Sweet 16. Unfortunately, as a five seed, they ran into the Duke Blue Devils and suffered a tough loss. 

This offseason, Pitino once again worked hard to bring in some proven talent, and this could be the most talented team in the Pitino era. However, there will be the looming concerns about the eligibility status of some players. 

Breaking Down What Would Make This Season a Success

Mar 27, 2026; Washington, DC, USA; St. John's Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino reacts in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the East Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Coming off the last two years in which the team was able to make the NCAA Tournament, this coming season has to be all about going further. While winning Big East titles is a great accomplishment, reaching an Elite 8 or Final Four would result in Pitino being a legend with the program. 

It has been a long time since the team has had that level of success, but this is a talented group that can achieve great things. However, the true ceiling for the group will come down to who is able to play. 

There are still a ton of eligibility concerns around the country, and St. John’s could be impacted by it as well. If all of their talent is available to play, making an Elite 8 or Final Four is certainly within the realm of possibility. 

While that will hopefully get figured out in the courts, this version of St. John’s basketball could be the best roster yet in the Pitino era.