Why This Could Be the Best Team for St. John's Basketball Under Rick Pitino

Here's why the 2026-27 team for the St. John's Red Storm could be the best under Rick Pitino.

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

As the 2026-27 campaign approaches for the St. John’s Red Storm, what this team might be able to accomplish is a major question. 

Following a busy offseason as expected, St. John’s is a much different-looking team than last year. With Rick Pitino entering year four, he will be seeking to get the program back into the Elite 8 for the first time since 1999. 

There has been some nice progression for the Red Storm over the last three years. They have improved each season, and if that trend continues, it could mean a trip to the Elite 8 or the Final Four. 

At almost 74 years old, it’s hard to predict how long Pitino will want to coach for, making this year an important one for St. John’s. He has really been able to come in and change the narrative surrounding the program for the better. 

Now, as he gets set for another season, here’s why it could be the best year yet for the team with the veteran coach on the sidelines. 

Why This Can Be the Best Team Under Pitino 

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

As the Red Storm prepare for the season, there is a lot to like about the current makeup of this roster. While there will be some eligibility concerns for the team, St. John’s is in excellent shape to be a real contender for a spot in the Final Four this season. 

With this being the fourth year for Pitino, it feels like it could be the one that he really tries to make a run at a Final Four. The veteran coach has changed the program for the better, but he is very aggressive in terms of using the transfer portal to do so. 

Coming off a Sweet 16 loss to the Duke Blue Devils, St. John’s will be hoping to take a step forward this coming year. Following the close loss in the Sweet 16 last year, a trip to the Elite 8 or Final Four is certainly realistic this coming season.

Both outcomes should be considered to be very successful seasons, and both are very realistic based on the current eligible roster for the Red Storm. 

While Pitino came in to help bring the team back to relevancy, he also wants to win. St. John's has become a perennial contender in the Big East, but the goals are set much higher than just that now. 

Overall, there have been some really impressive teams over the last three years for the Red Storm. However, this roster could end up being their best.