A Year of Hope and Hype: Reflecting on St. John’s Basketball’s Rollercoaster 2024-2025 Season
As the calendar turns towards the end of March, St. John’s University men’s basketball is left to reflect on a season filled with promise, excitement, and, ultimately, a bitter end. The Red Storm’s resurgence under Hall of Fame coach Rick Pitino and billionaire backer Mike Repole captured the imagination of fans and brought a sense of relevance back to New York City basketball. But despite the highs, the season ended on a note of disappointment, as St. John’s fell short in the NCAA Tournament, barely failing to make a deep run and leaving fans wondering what might have been.
A Dream Reignited: The Big East Championship
It all began with a bang. The 2024-2025 season was supposed to be the one that would elevate St. John’s back into the national conversation, and it did not disappoint, at least not initially. The team’s victory in the Big East Tournament—its first in 25 years—was a momentous achievement, especially as it unfolded in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden. The Red Storm, led by Pitino’s experienced hand, went on a magical run through the conference tournament, overcoming adversity and proving that they had returned to the top tier of college basketball.
For a program that had long been out of the national spotlight, this victory was a signal that the old glory of St. John’s basketball, reminiscent of the 1980s under Lou Carnesecca, could be recaptured. It was a victory that seemed to reignite the heart of New York City basketball, once again making St. John’s relevant and sparking interest in the local sports community. In a city that had long seen its basketball passion go elsewhere, the Red Storm were back.
The Pitino and Repole Effect
At the center of this revival was the duo of Rick Pitino and Mike Repole. Pitino, whose storied career spans decades and includes multiple NCAA titles, brought with him a championship pedigree and a coaching style that quickly infused discipline, intensity, and purpose into the St. John’s program. But it was the financial backing from Repole, a St. John’s alumnus who made his fortune with Bodyarmor and Vitaminwater, that truly set the stage for a program transformation.
Repole’s investment was game-changing. His commitment to bringing top talent to Queens through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and the transfer portal reshaped the roster. With his support, Pitino was able to recruit star players like Kadary Richmond from Seton Hall and Deivon Smith from Utah, ensuring that the Red Storm had the talent to compete with the best. Reports suggested that $4 million was spent in NIL deals this season alone, a reflection of the changing landscape of college basketball and the deep pockets now fueling this St. John’s revival.
Pitino’s approach, relying heavily on the transfer portal rather than high school recruits, became a model for how to quickly assemble a competitive team in the modern era. This strategy, while effective in bringing in immediate talent, also brought with it the challenges of maintaining stability, with players constantly lured by new offers from other programs.
The March Madness Dream
The excitement surrounding St. John’s was palpable as the NCAA Tournament approached. After securing the Big East title, the team was granted a No. 2 seed, and hopes were high that they could make a deep run, perhaps even securing their first Final Four appearance since 1985. Pitino’s leadership and the team’s collective talent set the stage for what could have been an unforgettable March Madness journey.
However, the dream was not to be. In a stunning turn of events, the Red Storm fell short in the tournament with their star on the bench, succumbing to an early exit that left fans and players alike in disbelief. The road to a national title, so tantalizingly close, suddenly ended in disappointment. For a team that had experienced such a dramatic resurgence under Pitino, the premature end to their tournament run felt like a cruel twist of fate.
The Legacy of 2024-2025: Hope for the Future
Despite the loss, the 2024-2025 season will go down in history as a year of great achievement for St. John’s basketball. The team’s success in the Big East Tournament, their return to the NCAA Tournament, and the undeniable excitement they generated in New York City were all significant milestones. St. John’s basketball was relevant again, and that alone made this season a turning point.
But as with any high-stakes journey, the question lingers: Can this success be sustained? The whirlwind turnaround from a middling program to a national contender was made possible by the financial muscle of Repole and the expert guidance of Pitino. However, the nature of college basketball today—with the transfer portal, NIL deals, and shifting player rosters—means that maintaining success requires constant adaptation.
Pitino, for his part, remains committed to building a sustainable program, though the challenges of the modern landscape are never far behind. With the transfer portal always in play and the allure of lucrative NIL deals attracting players from all corners of the nation, keeping a competitive roster will be a delicate balancing act. The Red Storm may have fallen short this season, but their revival has set a foundation for continued success.
The fans hope they can take solace in the fact that St. John’s is no longer an afterthought in the world of college basketball. The program is relevant again—thanks to Pitino’s coaching acumen and Repole’s financial investment. Whether they can build on this momentum remains to be seen, but for now, St. John’s has given New York City basketball a reason to dream once more.
The Unfinished Journey
In the end, 2024-2025 was a season of unfinished business. St. John’s may have lost in the NCAA Tournament, but the hope they sparked in the hearts of their fans and the pride they brought back to their school cannot be overstated. For now, St. John’s basketball stands as a testament to the power of investment, coaching, and belief in a program’s potential. The journey may have ended earlier than expected, but the legacy of this season is far from over.
With Pitino at the helm and Repole’s backing, the future of St. John’s basketball remains bright, and the Red Storm will continue to fight for that elusive championship in the years to come. The lessons learned this season, the excitement generated, and the foundation built will echo through the halls of Madison Square Garden for seasons to come. The story of St. John’s basketball, while temporarily interrupted, is far from finished. The next chapter awaits.