St. John’s Faces Early Challenges but Prevails
St. John’s basketball team was on high alert for an upset right from the beginning of their NCAA Tournament opener. The second-seeded Johnnies felt the pressure as they struggled with shot accuracy and rebounding, resulting in a growing deficit during the first half against the No. 15 seed Omaha, who played without pressure.
Rick Pitino’s Red Storm, favored by 18.5 points, started off on a shaky note in the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I., and were largely inexperienced in tournament play. “We came out very tight,” noted junior guard RJ Luis Jr. regarding the team’s initial nerves as this was their first experience in the tournament.
Turning Point in the Second Half
However, St. John’s regained its composure in the second half, ultimately dominating Omaha with an 83-53 victory. This win marked the Red Storm’s first NCAA Tournament victory since 2000 and set up a much-anticipated second-round clash with John Calipari’s No. 10 Arkansas on Saturday.
Pitino expressed his satisfaction with the win, stating, “Very happy with the win. Very happy we’re advancing.” The Johnnies, boasting a 31-4 record and returning to the tournament for the first time since 2019, initially fell behind 7-0, struggling against Omaha’s dominance on the boards.
Overcoming Early Struggles
St. John’s was challenged to convert 3-point shots but eventually found their rhythm, making four of the next five 3-pointers, which included a crucial shot from Deivon Smith that secured their first lead at 22-20 with just over six minutes left in the first half. Despite only leading 33-28 at halftime due to an aggressive Omaha team out-rebounding them, the Johnnies could regroup for the second half.
Junior forward Zuby Ejiofor remarked, “We have been starting out pretty slow. Once we all talked to each other and got more engaged… we just came together and did whatever it takes to win.” In the second half, St. John’s excelled on both ends of the court, significantly outscoring Omaha 50-25.
Standout Performances and Next Steps
RJ Luis had a standout game, scoring a total of 22 points, with three 3-pointers after halftime in his NCAA Tournament debut. The Big East Player of the Year shot 8-of-14 overall, complementing his performance with key defensive plays. “We cleaned it up in the second half and we got back to our identity, which is defense,” he said, looking ahead to their next match against Arkansas.
As Omaha, in its first NCAA appearance, struggled with a low shooting percentage of 25.7%, Pitino acknowledged the need to improve rebounding but praised his team’s defensive efforts. With this significant victory in the NCAA Tournament, the Johnnies added to their list of achievements this season, including winning their first outright Big East regular-season championship since 1985.
Upcoming Challenge Against Arkansas
With their sights now set on an Arkansas team that defeated No. 7 Kansas, St. John’s is preparing for a renewed rivalry between coaches Pitino and Calipari. Their last encounter was in 2016, with Calipari holding a historical lead of 13-10 in their rivalry. Pitino acknowledged the physical challenge posed by Arkansas’ size and athleticism, stating, “We know what we’re up against.”
