Overview
- The Red Storm debut at No. 5 in the AP Top 25, their highest preseason ranking and first preseason appearance since 1999-2000.
- Only Purdue, Houston, Florida and UConn are ranked ahead of St. John’s in the newly released poll.
- Rick Pitino’s offseason additions formed 247Sports’ top-rated transfer class, including Ian Jackson, Dillon Mitchell, Oziyah Sellers, Bryce Hopkins and Joson Sanon.
- All-Big East forward Zuby Ejiofor returns after averaging 14.7 points and 8.1 rebounds last season.
- Pitino downplayed the ranking as he pointed to early tests at Madison Square Garden, including an Oct. 25 exhibition vs. No. 7 Michigan and a Nov. 8 game vs. No. 15 Alabama, while KenPom starts St. John’s at No. 16.