With huge victory after huge victory and playing a style and a brand of basketball that people can get behind the St. John’s Men’s Basketball Team (21-3, 12-1) are making waves and capturing the hearts and attention of sports fans in the New York City Area.
The guys are in first place in the BIG EAST Conference, Nationally Ranked 12/10 and are coming from one of the biggest victories against the Reinging Defending Champion University of Connecticut on Saturday.
There are multiple layers as to the success of the St. John’s program, including the play of RJ Luis Jr.
Luis Jr. recently being named to the MBWA Player of the week, as well as having a ton of other accolades during the course of the 2024-25 season.
RJ a Miami, Florida-Native also was named the MBWA Player of the Week on January 14, when his stat line contained a 19-point, 9 rebound performances in back-to-back victories against top-20 ranked performance.
In the February 4 game against No. 11/11 Marquette, Luis Jr. was able to have his seventh double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds to go along with four steals and a career-high three blocks and made a huge impact in the team’s victory against No. 19/18 UConn with his seventh 20-point performance of the year.
Also on February 10th the Junior was named to the Naismith Trophy National Player of the Week, becoming the first to gain this recognition since Joel Soriano did so on January 16, 2023 and according to the folks at the St. John’s PR department the third to do so since 2019.
Luis Jr. and the rest of the New York City Media all gathered together virtually, as the guys are in middle of a competitive BIG EAST Conference schedule, and the junior spoke on a wide range of topics during the zoom including learning some of the new ideas that Head Coach Rick Pitino is bringing in with the offense and defensive concepts.
“I like the defense play that we have versus vs anything else,” RJ said when it had come time for those concepts. “The offense is getting there; Coach Pitino is showing us clips of the moments when he is pleased with our offense and that is something that we appreciate. It is about the pace and getting into the offense quickly.”
He Continued to say, “The offense is going to get there but I am happy with the defense. Defense wins championships.”
This St. John’s Men’s Basketball team has a different feel and energy around them and are able to overcome challenges, obstacles and moments, and in doing so getting a fan base to support and cheer for them.
“It says a lot when it comes time for us overcoming the challenges. It means a lot that we are able to do so,” RJ said when it came time for being able to play the way they are. “The guys are taking things seriously and learning and growing and fixing the things that they can. As long as we can fix things we can be good. One of the main things that we are going to focus on is the fact that we can always bring hustle and energy into every game; that is the most important part. I feel as if there is always room for improvement as well as the fact that I feel as if there are multiple levels we can reach.”
When asked about what that next level is going to look like RJ had this to say, “That is something going to be seen-we are getting close. The guys are gelling well. There are certain guys on the team learning the roles especially Kadary Richmond he is getting more aggressive and doing well. I am always going to bring it defensively as well, and Sim (Simeon Wilcher) is bringing a lot-I think it is great-we have a great team. We are all very hungry and we all want to win.”
It is going to be a combination of them paying attention to the details and the defense that is going to be something that RJ emphasized, “Defense is what kicks in during the course of when we play in these games. That is what Coach is teaching us is the defensive mindset is what is going to help us win. I feel like when it comes time for stretches it is the defense that fules the energy.”
The guys are currently preparing for a road test against Villanova on February 12 before returning home to Madison Square Garden to take on No. 24/21 Creigton on February 16.
In the most recent meeting between the Red Storm and Wildcats, it was St. John’s coming through with the 80-68 victory.
That most recent meeting was a back-and-forth thriller featuring six ties and 18 lead changes and this second edition is going to be just as thrilling with the scene set in front of the Villanova fan base and faithful.
Thus far the guys play well on the road, holding a 5-1 mark and are playing well overall as they are on a 10-game winning streak.
Some interesting stats from the Villanova/St. John’s series includes the fact that the two college programs are currently tied at 66 wins and losses, with 8138 total points recorded and an average of 62 points being totaled between them.
The last time that the St. John’s Men’s Basketball program visited Finneran Pavilion was on January 6 during the 2023-24 season and were able to gain an 81-71 victory.
There is going to be a ton of energy and excitement as the countdown is on to the latest clash between the Red Storm and Wildcats happening on February 12 at 6:00 p.m. For anyone hoping to catch the action they can do so on the FS1 Network.
For more information on the St. John’s Athletics Department fans are encouraged to click on the link seen here:
St. John’s University Athletics – Official Athletics Website