A Red Storm Rises: Pitino's St. John's Era Kicks Off with a Roar

Well, here we are. The Rick Pitino era at St. John's, long-awaited and certainly much-hyped, finally got its official tip-off, and what a statement it was. Ranked No. 5 in the preseason AP Top 25—a spot, you know, they haven't seen in, gosh, twenty-three years—the Red Storm wasted absolutely no time asserting their dominance, routing Quinnipiac by a decisive 90-56 margin. Honestly, it felt less like a game and more like a carefully orchestrated exhibition of what’s to come.

You could say it was a tune-up, certainly, especially with a much tougher opponent in No. 15 Alabama looming on the horizon. But, and this is important, it was a tune-up that showcased a team already humming with confidence and, dare I say, a distinct Pitino rhythm. The kind of rhythm that makes opposing coaches, for lack of a better phrase, a bit nervous.

Joel Soriano, a returning big man who, in truth, has become quite the anchor, was simply unstoppable. He posted a monster 21 points and grabbed 12 rebounds—a double-double, right out of the gate. His presence inside felt foundational, setting a tone. And then, there were the new faces, making their much-anticipated debuts. Daniss Jenkins, the Iona transfer, looked remarkably comfortable running the show, chipping in 17 points and orchestrating the offense with a certain flair. Chris Ledlum, another key acquisition, matched Jenkins with 17 points and nearly notched a double-double himself, pulling down 9 boards. These guys, you see, weren’t just filling jerseys; they were making a profound impact.

The game itself? A first-half deluge, really. St. John's went on an eye-popping 24-0 run—yes, you read that right, twenty-four consecutive points—that completely blew the game open. They entered halftime with a commanding 54-24 lead, and from that point on, the outcome was never, ever in doubt. It was a masterclass in controlled aggression, relentless defense, and smart shot selection; the kind of basketball Pitino is renowned for, truly.

Quinnipiac, to their credit, didn’t just roll over completely. Savion Lewis tried to ignite some offense for the Bobcats, finishing with 11 points and 7 assists, displaying some flashes of individual brilliance. Richie Springs Jr. also hit double digits with 10 points. But the sheer depth and talent of St. John's, under their new venerable coach, was just too much to handle. The Red Storm, they looked prepared. They looked hungry. And, for once, they looked like a team that means serious business.

So, the first chapter of the Pitino era is written, and it’s a resounding success. This St. John's team, it appears, is ready to embrace the hype, ready to climb, and ready to challenge. Next up, Alabama—and one can't help but feel a collective anticipation building, a sense that this, well, this could be something truly special unfolding in Queens.