In a stunning upset, No. 2 seed St. John’s fell to No. 10 Arkansas 75-66 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, ending their promising season and dreams of advancing to the Sweet 16. The loss, marked by poor shooting and controversial coaching decisions, has left fans and analysts buzzing in disbelief.
The game, held on March 22, 2025, at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island, featured a St. John's team that entered the matchup with a solid 31-4 record and a ten-game winning streak. But highlights from earlier in the season quickly faded away as the Red Storm struggled throughout the contest, shooting a mere 28% from the field and only hitting two of their 22 attempts from beyond the arc.
Rick Pitino’s decisions came under fire as the game reached its critical moments. The Red Storm's star player, RJ Luis Jr., who shot only 3-of-17 from the field, was notably benched during the game’s final 4:56. This baffling move became a focal point of criticism, especially after Luis had just scored two free throws, bringing St. John's within two points before being substituted out. “For him to be out — that’s mind-boggling. I don’t care if he’s 1-of-30,” remarked CBS analyst Steve Lappas. “Who’s got a better chance of doing something in the last minute?”
As the clock ticked down, the Red Storm only managed to score four more points, effectively squandering their chances of closing the gap and extending their season. Critics quickly flooded social media with their reactions, with one fan stating that the decision was “malpractice by Pitino,” while ESPN's Jay Williams labeled the approach “wild,” asserting that “if you aren’t playing his way, you aren’t playing.”
Throughout the competition, St. John's had showcased their prowess, from their remarkable victory over No. 15 Omaha in the first round to their history-making season where they claimed their first outright Big East regular-season title since 1985 and the Big East Tournament title after 25 years. However, in the crucial second round, their weaknesses were all too evident, especially in their shooting performance.
Zuby Ejiofor emerged as the lone bright spot for the Johnnies, delivering an impressive performance with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Deivon Smith also contributed with 13 points. Meanwhile, the team’s most valuable players, Luis and Kadary Richmond, had disappointing outings; Richmond managed just five points in a foul-plagued 16 minutes, and both he and Luis were unable to find their rhythm against Arkansas’ robust defense.
The Razorbacks, led by legendary coach John Calipari, advanced to the Sweet 16 with their victory. Calipari's squad showcased better balance, with four players scoring at least six points, making it clear why they were able to capitalize on St. John's shortcomings. After Arkansas took a 13-point lead in the second half, St. John's attempts to rally fell flat despite several close opportunities.
Reflecting on the season, Luis expressed his feelings after the loss, poignantly stating, “It feels like we didn’t do anything, really, after today. Just sucks to lose, the way we lost, the way we went out.” This sentiment resonates with fans who had hoped for a deeper tournament run.
In summary, the 2024-25 season brought excitement and hope for St. John’s, but this heartbreaking early exit leaves a bitter taste. After an array of highs, including lofty expectations and impressive victories earlier in the tournament, the Red Storm could only muster disappointment against a formidable Arkansas team. As for Pitino, the focus will now shift to reassessing strategies and building toward next season, hoping to avoid another first-round exit.
