The St. John’s Red Storm entered the 2025–26 campaign with top-5 preseason expectations, fresh off a stunning 31–5 season in which they won both the Big East regular-season and tournament championships. Rick Pitino’s squad shocked the nation last year with suffocating defense, elite chemistry, and a roster that maximized its potential despite losing several starters.

But seven games into this season, those expectations have not aligned with reality. At 4–3, the Johnnies have been one of college basketball’s most puzzling early-season teams. The talent is undeniable; the results are not.

A Team Loaded With Transfers but Lacking Cohesion

Pitino brought in one of the top transfer portal classes in the nation, featuring Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Dillon Mitchell (Cincinnati), Joson Sanon (Arizona State), and Oziyah Sellers (Stanford). On paper, this group had the firepower to pick up where last year’s core left off.

Their production has been solid individually:

• Bryce Hopkins – 16.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg

• Zuby Ejiofor – 15.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 3.3 apg

• Oziyah Sellers – 11.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 apg

• Dillon Mitchell – 11 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 2.3 apg

• Joson Sanon – 10.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg

• Ian Jackson – 12 ppg, 1.1 apg

But this team’s core problem isn’t talent. It’s chemistry.

Pitino said it best: “They’re new to each other and they’re going to get it or they’re going to continue losing.” Right now, they simply don’t look connected on either end—especially defensively.

Defensive Identity Lost

The backbone of last season’s success was defense. In 2024–25, St. John’s allowed just 65.8 points per game—one of the best marks in the nation.

This year? 76.4 points per game allowed through seven contests.

That’s an alarming 10+ point difference.

Pitino didn’t hold back after the loss to Auburn:

“This is a very average defensive team… They are not locked in like last year.”

The issues are clear:

• Lack of communication

• Poor transition defense

• Losing 50/50 balls

• Getting exposed in full-court pressure

• Giving up 17.2 offensive rebounds per game

Arkansas, Alabama, and Auburn attacked St. John’s with downhill guard play and pace. The Johnnies had no answers.

Brutal Stretch of Losses Shows Their Weaknesses

St. John’s has already lost three straight to SEC opponents, including:

• Alabama at MSG, 103–96 (a track meet that exposed the guards)

• Iowa State, 83–82, in Las Vegas

• Auburn, 85–74, after blowing an 11-point lead

Against Auburn, the Red Storm were outscored 55–35 in the second half, including a massive 30–13 run in the final nine minutes. They let Auburn shoot 55% from the field and 43% from deep.

These aren’t numbers of a national contender. These are numbers of a team still searching for an identity.

Point Guard Play: Still Missing

Perhaps the biggest concern is the lack of a true point guard.

Ian Jackson, the high-profile transfer, is averaging 12 points but only 1.1 assists per game. Pitino has made it clear he needs Jackson to be more of a floor general.

“Pitino needs to work with him and for him to be the point guard to be the general floor leader.”

Right now, St. John’s doesn’t have a steady orchestrator—someone to settle the offense, control pace, and get everyone in the right spots. Without that, the talent isn’t being maximized.

Zuby Ejiofor: The Lone Steady Force

One bright spot is forward Zuby Ejiofor, who is playing like the team’s anchor: 15.6 points 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He has been the most reliable two-way presence, but he alone cannot fix the defensive lapses, rebounding issues, and guard breakdowns.

Were the Red Storm Overrated?

Through seven games, that’s a fair question.

The team isn’t bad—they’re just not playing like a top-five team. Their preseason ranking was based on potential, prestige, Pitino, and last year’s magic. But potential isn’t performance and chemistry takes time.  The Big East is unforgiving, and right now St. John’s doesn’t even look like the best team in the conference. UConn holds that title for now.

Outlook for the Remainder of the Season

The good news? It’s still early. The bad news? The schedule doesn’t get easier.

Here’s what St. John’s must do to turn things around:

1. Recommit to Defense -!Everything starts here. Last season’s identity must return—or this will be a long, inconsistent season.

2. Settle the Point Guard Role -!Whether it’s Jackson or someone else, they need a true facilitator who can organize the offense.

3. Improve Defensive Rebounding – Allowing 17.2 offensive rebounds per game is simply unsustainable for winning basketball.

4. Build Chemistry – This is where the ceiling lies. If the transfers mesh, this team can still be dangerous by February and March.

5. Statement Game vs. Ole Miss – On December 6 at Madison Square Garden, St. John’s faces another SEC test against Ole Miss. After losing three straight to SEC opponents—Arkansas, Alabama, and Auburn—this matchup is more than a game. It’s a gut-check moment. If the Red Storm lose, the narrative of being overrated will only grow louder. If they win, it could be the first step toward reclaiming their identity.

St. John’s is undeniably talented and deep, but early-season chemistry problems, defensive lapses, and inconsistent guard play are holding them back. They may not be the top-five juggernaut some expected—at least not yet.

The season is far from lost, but the Red Storm must decide what kind of team they want to be.

If they buy into Pitino’s defensive demands and learn to trust each other, they still have the firepower to compete for a Big East title and make noise in March. If not? They’ll continue losing. Pitino said it plainly—and right now, St. John’s fate is in their own hands.