St. John's Adjusts Schedule for 2026-27 Season
The Red Storm will face their first significant non-conference challenge later in the season, a departure from recent years.
Sports • an hour ago
For the first time in head coach Rick Pitino's tenure, the St. John's men's basketball team will not feature a marquee early-season non-conference opponent. In previous seasons, the Red Storm have faced a notable opponent in their non-conference schedule within the first few weeks of play. In 2023, it was Michigan; in 2024, it was New Mexico; and in 2025, St. John's played Alabama.
This year, the team's first major test will come during the week of Thanksgiving at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. This scheduling change marks a deliberate shift from the program's approach in Pitino's initial three seasons.