After seeing the names of the young men on the 2024-25 St. John’s Men’s Basketball team being etched into the history book, the guys now prepare for the toughest test of the regular season.
That test is going to be by going to Marquette University and taking on No. 20/20 Marquette in BIG EAST Conference play.
With Marquette holding the traditional Senior Day Ceremony, as well as them playing in front of a sold out arena, there are high stakes at play when these two programs play.
There is also the seeding in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament on the line as well, as St. John’s hopes to maintain the advantage that they built during the regular season.
Here are some of the impressive stats that the Red Storm has compiled as they enter into the regular season finale.
The guys were able to have an undefeated record at homee for the first time since 1931-32, while also having an 18-0 mark in NYC.
It was when Head Coach James “Buck” Freeman was at the helm of the squad that the team saw a perfect mark at home. Fast forward to 2025 as the team now has Head Coach Rick Pitino at the helm.
Coach Pitino adding on to an incredible resume, as he becomes the only coach to win a regular season at five different schools, while surpassing Dean Smith for seventh on the all-time wins list with 880.
Kadary Richmond, Sadiku Ibine Ayo along with Coach all interacted with members of the media to share thoughts on the upcoming game against Marquette.
One of the more fascinating storylines from the Media Zoom came with the interactions with Sadiku Ibine Ayo, as the Junior Forward is celebrating the Islamic celebration of Ramadan and the process that goes with the observation.
It was not only Sadiku celebrating but some of his teammates as well as Coaches, as they all pitched in to show support for the forward.
“It’s hard, but I’ve been doing it for a little bit now that I’m able to still have the strength to be able to go through it, but it’s hard. Coach [Pitino] himself is going through it as well,” Ibine Ayo had to say. “He’s not cursing or drinking either. So, we just practice very hard, and it’s trying to make sure it doesn’t kill me like that. So, he kind of gives me a little sub sometimes, or we have a little break for one hour or 45 minutes, so I don’t really get tired like that.”
The team is practicing hard and getting themselves ready not only for the game against Marquette, but also the upcoming ultra tough BIG EAST Tournament.
In addition thanks to the stellar season they have the guys made a special guest apperance on the Tonight Show and getting to stand side by side with Jimmy Falon, which is a wonderful treat for the team.
“I think it helps building the brand, building the spirit of St. John’s. Most importantly, it’s fun for the players. It’s important to work hard, but it’s also important to have fun while you’re working hard. Certainly, we had a blast doing that. I told the team, ‘You know, I’ve been to seven Final Fours, won two national championships as a coach, and we never went on the Tonight Show,” Coach Pitino said on the appearance. “So, you’re very lucky because you’re in the greatest city in the world, and that’s why you’re on, on that show, and you’re in a great conference, the best city in the world, you play at the best arena, the World’s Most Famous Arena, as your home court.”
On being a part of the team’s resurgence Kadary Richmond had this to say, ““It feels good going out there and winning. Being from Brooklyn, and that this is a New York team, it feels good for me to go out there and be able to have a historic season like we’re having and going to continue to have. It’s just a blessing for everyone.”
It’ll be an epic clash of the BIG EAST Conference teams on Saturday, March 8 as St. John’s takes on No. 20/20 Marquette at the Fiserv Forum. The start time for the game is scheduled for 12 p.m. with the action airing on the FOX network.
For more information on the St. John’s Athletics Department fans are encouraged to click on the link below:
St. John’s University Athletics – Official Athletics Website