St. John’s Basketball Nearing Top 10 in Early Top 25 and 1

The St. John's Red Storm are continuing to climb early rankings.

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 quickly become one of the top teams in the country under head coach Rick Pitino.

After missing the NCAA tournament in his first season at the helm, the team has qualified each of the last two years. In 2025, they were a No. 2 seed but lost in the Round of 32. This year, as a No. 5 seed, they advanced to the Sweet 16 before being beaten by the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils.

Heading into the 2026-27 season, expectations are once again high for the Red Storm, who were major winners in the transfer portal. It is anyone’s guess who is going to be suiting up for the team right now, as injunctions and lawsuits are being filed around the country in an attempt by players to get a fifth year of eligibility under the near 5-in-5 parameters.

However, two players will for sure be in the rotation for Pitino this year: Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey. And their presence on the roster is enough reason for Gary Parrish of CBS Sports to have St. John’s heading in the right direction for his Top 25 and 1.

Where is St. John's ranked in the Top 25 and 1?

Mar 14, 2026; New York, NY, USA; St. John's Red Storm guard Ian Jackson (11) following the men's Big East Conference Tournament Championship against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Both are going to fill prominent roles in the rotation, likely as starters, as the only holdovers who appeared in at least 30 games and averaged double-digit minutes per contest. Prey looks especially poised for a breakout, showcasing incredible production in his debut with the Portuguese national team this summer.

Joining those two, with no eligibility issues, are Tounde Yessofou, a five-star transfer from the Baylor Bears, Kyle Cuffe Jr., a four-star transfer from the Mercer Bears, and Avery Brown, a three-star transfer from the Columbia Lions.

Four-star high school recruit Theo Edema is also in the mix. Pitino is hoping that Quinn Ellis, an international prospect; Keyshawn Hall, a transfer from the Auburn Tigers; and Reed Bailey, a transfer from the Indiana Hoosiers, are all deemed eligible.

If they are, the Red Storm is poised to once again challenge for the Big East championship and will be one of the best teams in the country.

Red Storm need good fortune in courts to have full roster

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

St. John’s is one of seven teams that have moved up a spot in the rankings because of the Michigan Wolverines plummeting. Incoming star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. suffered an ACL tear during the team’s exhibition tour in Europe that will end his first year in college before it even begins.

The No. 9-ranked team previously, they have dropped to No. 17, which led to the Virginia Cavaliers, Arkansas Razorbacks, Gonzaga Bulldogs, St. John’s, the Iowa State Cyclones, Houston Cougars and Tennessee Volunteers all moving up, occupying spots Nos. 9-15.

The UConn Huskies, who are ranked No. 4, are the only other Big East team that made the cut. It once again looks like it will be a two-horse race atop the conference entering the season.