UPDATE: The Players Era Festival kicks off in Las Vegas today, with St. John’s set to face off against a formidable lineup that includes No. 16 Iowa State at 4:30 p.m. ET. This tournament features an impressive pool of 18 teams, with St. John’s looking to secure crucial wins that could impact their NCAA Tournament chances as the season progresses.
Head coach Rick Pitino describes the competition as “a who’s who” of college basketball, underscoring the significance of these games for the 14th-ranked Red Storm. The stakes are high, as a poor performance could have long-lasting repercussions for their tournament resume.
St. John’s will also play against Baylor tomorrow at the same time, with a potential third game against another ranked opponent if they advance. The urgency of these matchups cannot be overstated, as the Red Storm aims to establish themselves as a serious contender in the Big East.
“We need to capitalize on every opportunity we have here,” said St. John’s player Zuby Ejiofor. He emphasized the importance of winning against top-ranked teams, not only for confidence but also for their overall season prospects. “Each and every game that we win here will help us, especially with the NCAA Tournament resume,” he added.
St. John’s is coming off a tough loss to Alabama on November 8, where they missed a chance for a signature win. Pitino believes that experience will serve them well in this tournament. “I know what we had to work on from that game, and it’s a good thing,” he noted, expressing confidence that the team can turn previous weaknesses into strengths.
The Players Era Festival could significantly impact the NCAA selection committee’s metrics. Currently, four of the eleven Big East teams rank poorly in non-conference strength of schedule, according to Kenpom.com. However, St. John’s and No. 3 UConn are among the stronger teams, and performances in this festival could alter perceptions.
The tournament format includes predetermined games within two pools. St. John’s is in the MUA Pool along with Creighton, Iowa State, Baylor, Michigan, San Diego State, Auburn, and Oregon. Standings will be determined by win-loss records, with potential tiebreakers including head-to-head results and point differentials.
For fans eager to watch, Wednesday and Thursday will feature championship and consolation games, with the championship game set for 9:30 p.m. ET.
As the tournament unfolds, every game will be crucial for St. John’s. With a chance to showcase their talent against top-tier teams, the Red Storm will need to deliver standout performances to ensure their NCAA Tournament aspirations remain alive. The basketball world is watching—can St. John’s answer the call?
Stay tuned as we bring you live updates and results from Las Vegas.
