Why This Could Be the Year Rick Pitino Gets St. John's Basketball to Final Four

Will the St. John's Red Storm be able to get back to the Final Four this coming season?

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 St. John’s Red Storm get set for the upcoming season, expectations for the program will be high. 

Since the hiring of head coach Rick Pitino, the outlook for St. John’s has completely changed. This was a team that struggled in the Big East for a long time. However, with Pitino coming in and utilizing some good financial backing and the allure of Madison Square Garden, St. John’s is a desirable destination once again. 

As one of the best coaches in the country at working the transfer portal, Pitino is able to bring in experienced talent year after year. Bringing in upperclassmen who have played in big games and moments in college basketball already has them prepared to be successful in the NCAA Tournament. 

While Pitino wanted to turn the program around, the ultimate goal is to win a National Championship. This was a very good team last year that ultimately came up just short, but as Pitino heads into year four on the bench for St. John’s, perhaps this will be the year he can reach a Final Four. 

Pitino Takes St. John’s to Next Level

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

With a Sweet 16 performance against the Duke Blue Devils last year in which St. John’s nearly won, the team will be looking to take the next step forward. While making the Elite 8 is the next logical step, the third year for Pitino could be the one that the program really takes a jump. 

Even though the Red Storm might not have been a perfect team during the regular season, they got hot late. Having to play the Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 was a tough draw, but St. John’s proved that they could play with them and were one of the best teams in the country. 

As the team prepares for the upcoming season, they once again were able to have a really strong showing in the transfer portal, and this will be a group that is seeking to accomplish some great things. 

Even though the team lost Donnie Freeman for the year, they are still hoping to be very talented. While the eligibility of some college players is a bit of a mess now and in the courts, Pitino was recently able to land Keyshawn Hall. 

If Hall ends up being eligible, this is a Final Four-caliber roster. With Pitino entering year four, this feels like the one coming off a great Sweet 16 appearance that will finally get the Red Storm back to the Final Four.