The St. John’s Red Storm, under the leadership of coach Rick Pitino, have experienced a renaissance in the 2024-2025 season, culminating in a stellar 31-4 record that includes their first outright Big East regular-season title since 1985 and their first Big East Tournament championship in 25 years, signaling a return to prominence for the program. This remarkable turnaround is attributed to a cohesive team effort, characterized by a balanced offensive attack and a staunch defensive philosophy. The Red Storm average 16.0 assists per game, ranking fourth in the Big East, with point guard Kadary Richmond orchestrating the offense and contributing 5.4 assists per game, showcasing his vision and decision-making skills. Richmond’s ability to penetrate defenses and distribute the ball effectively has been instrumental in creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Key contributors such as RJ Luis Jr. and Zuby Ejiofor have been pivotal, providing scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility that have bolstered the team’s performance on both ends of the court. Luis, a dynamic scorer on the wing, has averaged double digits while providing timely shot-making and perimeter defense, and Ejiofor has brought physicality to the paint, serving as a reliable rim protector and rebounder whose energy often sets the tone for St. John’s frontcourt play. The Red Storm have thrived by executing Pitino’s vision of high-intensity, full-court pressure defense paired with unselfish offensive movement—forcing turnovers, pushing pace, and capitalizing in transition. This system has allowed them to suffocate slower, isolation-heavy teams and overwhelm opponents with waves of athleticism and effort.

Their depth has also been a strength, with reserves like Chris Ledlum and Simeon Wilcher contributing valuable minutes and energy off the bench, ensuring there’s little drop-off when starters rest. St. John’s ranks among the top teams nationally in turnover differential and offensive rebounding, two metrics that have fueled their ability to control tempo and swing momentum throughout games. Pitino’s fingerprints are evident in every aspect of their performance, with the team showing discipline in half-court sets and an ability to adjust quickly mid-game depending on matchups. Entering this matchup against Arkansas, the Red Storm hold the statistical and psychological edge, especially after a dominant first-round showing where they easily dispatched Omaha behind balanced scoring and suffocating defense. The familiarity Pitino has with John Calipari, stemming from their overlapping tenures in college basketball royalty, adds an intriguing subplot, as both coaches are tacticians who thrive in March and know how to make game-changing adjustments on the fly. St. John’s will look to pressure Arkansas’s young backcourt early, disrupt passing lanes, and force rushed decisions that lead to easy buckets in transition. Offensively, they’ll seek to spread the Razorbacks out, use high ball screens to create mismatches, and rely on Richmond’s control of tempo to avoid stagnation and keep Arkansas’s defenders chasing. The Red Storm have covered the spread in four of their last five games, reflecting a strong finish to the season and momentum that aligns with their current form and chemistry. Their ability to win both grind-it-out contests and fast-paced shootouts speaks to the balance and adaptability that has defined their rise in the national rankings. A win over Arkansas would propel them into the Sweet 16 for the first time in decades and further validate the massive impact Pitino has had in just his first year at the helm. As long as they avoid early foul trouble and continue to get contributions across the roster, St. John’s has every tool necessary to advance and make a legitimate run through the tournament—defensive tenacity, experienced leadership, bench depth, and a coach who’s been through the wars of March and knows how to navigate the chaos. With the Red Storm now carrying the weight of expectation rather than being the underdog, how they handle the pressure against a battle-tested Arkansas squad could determine whether this historic season continues or ends short of their rapidly rising aspirations.