St. John's Ranked No. 13 in AP Preseason Poll
The Red Storm enter the new season following a Sweet 16 appearance last year.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Basketball
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St. John's landed at No. 13 in the latest Associated Press preseason men's basketball poll. The ranking follows a strong previous season in which the team finished with a 30-7 record and reached the Sweet 16.
Why it matters
The high preseason ranking highlights the program's growth as it builds a new roster centered on the top-rated transfer class in college basketball.
St. John's enters the season with a 2-0 exhibition record after defeating Rutgers 104-99 in a four-overtime game. The roster features only two returning rotation players, Ian Jackson and Ruben Prey.
The players
Rick Pitino
At 74 years old, he serves as the head coach of the St. John's men's basketball team and has led multiple programs to national success throughout his career.
Keyshawn Hall
A high-scoring transfer player who averaged 19.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season.
Ian Jackson
He is one of the few players returning to the team from last season's primary rotation.
The details
The Red Storm are preparing for a rigorous schedule that includes at least four matchups against teams ranked in the AP Preseason Top 25. The coaching staff is integrating a heavily revamped roster acquired through the transfer portal to sustain the momentum from last year's No. 10 final ranking.
Timeline
The AP Preseason Top 25 was unveiled this past Monday.
St. John's defeated Rutgers in an exhibition game this past Sunday.
The team will face No. 7 Texas at Madison Square Garden next Sunday.
The regular season opens against Monmouth on November 2, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This preseason ranking sets a high bar for St. John's as they attempt to replicate or exceed last year's Sweet 16 finish. The team's reliance on a new transfer-heavy roster will be tested early by a difficult schedule featuring multiple ranked opponents.
The unresolved eligibility cases for Keyshawn Hall and Babacar Sane could significantly impact the team's depth and scoring production if they are unavailable for the season opener. Readers should note that the team plays a high-profile game against No. 7 Texas at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 26.
The takeaway
The Red Storm enter the season with high expectations despite relying on a roster built primarily through the transfer portal. Fans should keep an eye on how quickly the team integrates these new pieces as they prepare for a challenging non-conference schedule.
What happens next
St. John's will face No. 7 Texas at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 26, 2026, before opening the regular season against Monmouth on Nov. 2, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the latest team updates, visit New York City Basketball.
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