St. John's Red Storm NCAA Basketball Betting
Rick Pitino’s Red Storm fell on the wrong side of the bubble in his first year in charge, and there’s no doubt that reaching the NCAA Tournament will be the one thing on his mind this season. The Red Storm will combine their core of returners with a handful of experienced transfers and talented freshmen looking for the recipe to success in 2024-25.
Five players return for year two of the Rick Pitino era, four of whom were a part of the rotation for the Red Storm last season. The most important of the returners is RJ Luis Jr. (11 ppg, 5 rpg), who battled injury in his first year at St. John’s, starting in 10 of the 23 games he played. Luis struggled shooting the ball last season, but even if his shot doesn’t get back on track, he provides a lot for the Johnnies on the defensive side of the ball with his impressive length and athleticism.
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The other returners were all deeper in the rotation last season, but now could make a slightly bigger impact with a full year at St. John’s now under their belt. Zuby Ejiofor (4 ppg, 3 rpg) transferred in from Kansas last offseason, showing his potential in flashes and positively contributing on the offensive glass. Simeon Wilcher (3 ppg) saw limited minutes as a freshman but is a guy we think could break out off the bench for the Red Storm. Wilcher was efficient from the field in his first season and also showed an ability to create for others. Brady Dunlap (3 ppg) was another contributor as a freshman, and although he may not have as high of a ceiling as Wilcher, he should still see an increase in minutes as a sophomore. Sadike Ibine Ayo (0 ppg) is the final returner for the Red Storm, appearing in just five games last season after transferring in from Iona.
Eight players left St. John’s this offseason, a large portion of whom played big roles for the Red Storm this offseason. The Red Storm backcourt lost Daniss Jenkins (15 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg), Jordan Dingle (12 ppg), Nahiem Alleyne (6 ppg), and Sean Conway (2 ppg). The frontcourt saw departures from Joel Soriano (14 ppg, 10 rpg), Chris Ledlum (10 ppg, 7 rpg), Glenn Taylor Jr. (4 ppg), and Drissa Traore (2 ppg).
To replace the outgoing production, Rick Pitino landed commitments from four transfers. All four are likely starters for the Red Storm, highlighted by the guard duo of Deivon Smith (13 ppg, 6 rpg, 7 apg at Utah) and Kadary Richmond (16 ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg at Seton Hall). Both Smith and Richmond are primarily seen as point guards, but with the number of different things each of them can do on the court, we don’t see fit being a problem.
St. John’s will be the fourth school for Smith in five seasons, an experienced guard who finally broke out as a star this past season, posting five triple-doubles on the year, including two in the NIT. Richmond became a staple point of the Seton Hall program over the course of the past three seasons, an efficient scorer, great defender, and elite playmaker for the Pirates. With Smith and Richmond together in the backcourt, the upside on both ends of the court for the Red Storm is as high as it’s been since the Mike Jarvis days.
Forwards Aaron Scott (11 ppg, 6 rpg at North Texas) and Vincent Iwuchukwu (6 ppg, 4 rpg at USC) should also be impactful adds for the Red Storm. I’ve got both listed as projected starters, and we think Iwuchukwu could have a breakout year for the Red Storm if things go the right way for him.
Pitino has served an immediate purpose in returning public attention to the program.
Latest NCAA Tournament Results
| YEAR |
RESULT |
| 2019 |
Lost First Four vs. (11) Arizona State 65–74 |
| 2015 |
Lost Second Round vs. (8) San Diego State 64–76 |
| 2011 |
Lost Second Round vs. (11) Gonzaga 71–86 |
| 2002 |
Lost First Round vs. (8) Wisconsin 70–80 |
| 2000 |
Lost Second Round vs. (10) Gonzaga 71–86 |
| 1999 |
Lost Elite Eight vs. (4) Ohio State 74–77 |
| 1999 |
Lost First Round vs. (10) Detroit 64–66 |
2024-2025 NCAA Basketball Top Teams
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