Providence, Rhode Island - On March 20, 2025, St. John's Red Storm triumphed in a thrilling NCAA Tournament opener against Omaha Mavericks, securing an 83-53 victory at Amica Mutual Pavilion. This landmark win marked St. John's first tournament victory in 25 years, surprising fans who had been eagerly waiting for a return to glory.
The match started on an intense note, with Omaha seizing an early advantage. The Mavericks opened the game with a remarkable 7-0 run, showcasing their aspiration to compete fiercely in their first NCAA Tournament appearance. However, the Red Storm, entering the game as 18.5-point favorites, struggled initially. The first half saw them trailing 20-14 after a shaky start.
Despite the jitters, St. John's managed to regroup and found their rhythm by the end of the half, going on an impressive 16-2 run that ultimately saw them leading 33-28 at halftime. Junior guard RJ Luis Jr. expressed postgame, "We came out very tight. This is our first time playing [in the tournament], so I think it was a little bit of nerves. But we cleaned it up in the second half and we got back to our identity, which is defense, and we brought up the pressure.”
The second half painted a different picture entirely. St. John's exploded offensively, outscoring Omaha a staggering 50-25, putting on a display of dominance that left their opponent reeling. Luis Jr. led the charge, scoring a game-high 22 points, including five 3-pointers, and showcasing skillful shooting with an 8-of-14 success rate from the field. His standout performance was met with chants of “MVP” as he exited the game.
Alongside Luis, teammates contributed significantly to the win. Simeon Wilcher added 13 points, while Zuby Ejiofor and Kadary Richmond each chipped in with 10 points, reinforcing the team’s depth. Ejiofor's performance included seven rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. The team was particularly effective from beyond the arc, tying their season-high with 14 three-pointers in 37 attempts, setting a new program NCAA Tournament record.
"I’m not thrilled with the rebounding," remarked Coach Rick Pitino after the game, highlighting a concern despite the overall success. St. John's allowed Omaha to grab 24 offensive rebounds, leading to 18 second-chance points for the Mavericks. However, Pitino expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance, especially in the second half, emphasizing, "I’m thrilled with everything else. We got them to take a lot of bad shots. Defense was excellent.”
Omaha’s performance, while valiant, fell short. The Mavericks recorded just 18-of-70 (25.7%) shooting from the field, struggling particularly with their 3-point game, hitting only 5-of-36 shots from distance. Omaha’s Marquel Sutton was one of the notable figures for the Mavericks, finishing the game with 10 points in the first half.
Having battled through early nerves and inconsistency, St. John's players credited their transformation during halftime as pivotal. Forward Zuby Ejiofor, reflecting on the game, said, "We have been starting out pretty slow. Once we all talked to each other and got more engaged and got back to our game, especially in the second half when ultimately it matters the most, we just came together and did whatever it takes to win.”
As the final whistle blew, the relief and joy amongst the St. John's fans were palpable. This victory came not only as a triumph on the court but as a significant milestone in their basketball history, marking the end of a long drought. The players now look ahead to their matchup on March 23 against Arkansas, a game that promises to be a clash of titans, featuring top coaches Rick Pitino and John Calipari.
This renewal of rivalry is long anticipated, with the two coaches historically showcasing an epic back-and-forth narrative, having battled in previous tournaments and throughout their distinguished coaching careers. Calipari leads their all-time series, 13-10, adding another layer of excitement to an already charged atmosphere as the teams prepare to face off.
The upcoming game is not merely a chance for St. John's to progress further in the tournament; it is an opportunity to solidify their resurgence in college basketball. With fans rallying behind the team, St. John’s hopes to continue their momentum and capitalize on this pivotal moment in their journey toward a national championship.
As they gear up for the second round, St. John's players and coaches remain conscious that they have a long way to go: "It’s the road to a national championship,” Ejiofor stated after the win. "We got one down. We got five to go.” Their focus now shifts solely to the formidable task of knocking off Arkansas and making their historic run in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
