St. John's men's basketball team has made headlines as they clinched at least a share of the Big East regular season championship for the first time since 1992. The No. 7 Red Storm defeated Butler 76-70 on February 28, 2025, showcasing not only their talent but also their resilience as they navigated through various challenges throughout the match. This monumental accomplishment marks the program's first conference title win and ramps up excitement surrounding their performance this season.
During the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse, the atmosphere was electric as fans cheered on their respective teams. St. John's held on to the lead for much of the match but faced increased pressure when Butler rallied, even taking the lead with just over seven minutes left to play. The Bulldogs' Kolby King, who previously played for St. John's, sparked some enthusiasm among the home crowd with his performance. He contributed to Butler's efforts to regain control, converting key plays at pivotal moments.
“We didn’t play our best game, but with four minutes to go, we made all the right plays to win the game,” said St. John's Coach Rick Pitino, who has transformed the team since taking the helm just two years ago. With his strategic coaching and leadership, Pitino has brought the program to new heights. The victory not only secures the team’s first Big East title since 1992, but it also allows them the chance to clinch the outright title for the first time since 1985 with another win against Seton Hall on Saturday.
RJ Luis was pivotal to St. John's success, leading the charge with 24 points on9-of-16 shooting. His efforts proved invaluable, especially during challenging moments when the team needed to rally back from deficits. “We didn’t accomplish anything yet. I don’t want to share [the title]; the team doesn’t want to share,” Luis emphasized, underlining the team's determination and focus on winning outright.
Also making contributions were Zuby Ejiofor, who scored 12 points, and Kadary Richmond, adding his own to the tally with 13 points. Ejiofor’s remarkable hook shot gave St. John's some breathing room with only minutes left, helping to stave off Butler’s last-minute charges. “It feels great,” Ejiofor exclaimed, reflecting on the championship achievement. “We were not going to put our fate for the championship on anyone else.”
St. John's has exhibited extraordinary range this season, and their achievements have set records, including the most Big East wins ever within one season (16). This historic feat highlights both the team's performance and the hard work they have put forth throughout the season. Pitino has made it clear: “We are not interested in sharing anything,” reinforcing the competitive spirit of the team as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.
The upcoming game against Seton Hall is not just another matchup; it is the opportunity for St. John's to seal their basketball legacy within the Big East with the outright title. “We have our goals. We came here to win this thing; we said it weeks ago, and it’s in our hands right now,” added Pitino, with unrelenting confidence.
Butler, on the other hand, proved to be formidable opponents, showing grit and determination against one of the country's top teams. Coach Thad Matta acknowledged the efforts of his players, stating, “We put ourselves in a position to win [with] a couple crazy plays down the end. Give [St. John's] credit. They started the game on fire.” The Bulldogs struggled to maintain their momentum, succumbing to the poise exhibited by St. John's down the stretch.
Despite their loss, Butler demonstrated moments of promise, with contributions from players like Jahmyl Telfort and Patrick McCaffrey, both scoring key points throughout the game. The Bulldogs will seek to regroup as they head to their upcoming matchup against Villanova, determined to capitalize on their potential.
With St. John's poised to enter the NCAA Tournament, thanks to their stellar season, the palpable excitement surrounding the team is undeniable. Fans are eager to see how far the Red Storm can go as they approach March Madness. The looming question remains: will they be able to complete their goals and bring home the outright title this weekend? Only time will tell.