Torch Photo / Sebastian Zelaya
After several weeks of radio silence, the Red Storm returned with a move, several rumors and new schedule changes. With very few updates lately, you’re probably wondering: What’s going on with St. John’s?
Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you might’ve missed over the last several weeks, along with a few new updates on some familiar faces — including a sneak peek at several non-conference games officially scheduled for the 2026–27 season.
OFFICIAL: 76-team format in NCAA Tournament set to start in 2026-27
It was inevitable, the first conversations starting in the summer of 2024. The new expansion will replace the First Four with a 12-game Opening round, where 24 teams will compete in the Opening Round on the Tuesday and Wednesday before the traditional first round, creating even more madness.
The 12-game expansion will consist of the 12 lowest-seeded automatic qualifiers, along with the 12 lowest-seeded at-large teams. The move aims to increase access for more student-athletes and is expected to be supported by approximately $300 million in new sponsorship revenue, including an expanded alcohol advertisement.
“When I hear people are upset that the NCAA expanded to 76 teams, I think “why and who cares?” The best teams advance and more teams get to experience the greatest tournament on earth,” said St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino on X.
As Pitino states, more teams will now experience the tournament, including several programs from a Big East conference, that have improved this offseason. The once powerhouse conference featured just three teams in this year’s NCAA tournament, a number that could improve to almost seven next season. Xavier had a huge offseason as they entered year two under Richard Pitino, Providence rebuilt their team around head coach Bryan Hodgson.
A sneak-peek at the St. John’s Non-Conference opponents + the Players Era Tournament
For the second-straight season, Pitino will be challenging his team with tough non-conference games in the first two months of the college basketball year. Besides several difficult contests, St. John’s will be competing in a loaded Players Era tournament, taking place during Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas.
The tournament in 2026 will feature the following teams:
Baylor Bears
Creighton Bluejays
Gonzaga Bulldogs
Iowa State Cyclones
Kansas State Wildcats
Louisville Cardinals
Maryland Terrapins
Miami Hurricanes
Michigan Wolverines
Oregon Ducks
San Diego State Aztecs
St. John’s Red Storm
TCU Horned Frogs
Tennessee Volunteers
Texas Tech Red Raiders
In 2025, the Red Storm went 1-2, losing to Iowa State by one point in heartbreaking fashion, dominating Baylor the next day, while falling to Auburn to end their trip in Sin City.
However, there’s much more to worry about for the Johnnies. Here’s a look at their confirmed games so far.
Vs Arizona (Dec. 5): A surefire primetime contest — Pitino takes on Tommy Lloyd under the bright New York City lights. Lloyd led the Wild Cats to their first Final Four berth in 25 years, winning the 2026 Coach of the Year award along with their success.
Arizona will feature a top-five high school recruit class, ensuring a legit challenge for the Red Storm.
@ Alabama (Dec. 12): As part of their two-year agreement, the Red Storm will travel to Tuscaloosa to face the Crimson Tide on December 12. A clash between one of the best SEC teams and one of the best Big East teams — sure to give Pitino and the Johnnies an offensive battle.
The two programs faced off on Nov. 8 last season at Madison Square Garden, a test in which St. John’s failed.
Alabama took the win on the road, 103-96, giving Pitino the exact type of challenge he was looking for early in the season, one that prepared him for their March run. Nate Oats and the Tide will be led by Aden Holloway, who scored 21 points in their contest last season.
Vs Syracuse (Time and date TBD): A renewal of the classic Big East rivalry, Syracuse will head to MSG to face St. John’s in a contest just confirmed, with Jon Rothstein first to report. The two programs haven’t faced off since 2022, when they participated in the Empire Classic on Nov. 22 at the Garden — where the Red Storm took the win in overtime, 76-69.
2026 brings a new storyline, with the Orange Men looking to revive their long-lost basketball program, while facing off against a familiar face in Donnie Freeman. Freeman, the transfer from Syracuse, joined St. John’s to man their forward position once filled by Bryce Hopkins and Dillon Mitchell, creating an action-packed contest between the two teams.
Latest recruiting intel
The latest news in Johnnies land — the addition of German pro Babacar Sane. If you’d like to learn more about the international forward, read here.
Theo Edema — Center
The Red Storm have kept a low profile over the last several weeks when it comes to recruiting. St. John’s hosted top-50 prospect Theo Edema on May 4, reported by David Berov. Edema, a four-star prospect, stands tall at 6’11, currently holding plenty of high-major offers. Edema is currently in the class of 2027, but has looked into potentially reclassifying to 2026.
For Edema, his decision is still pending, with St. John’s standing as one of the four finalists, a list that includes BYU, Maryland and Stanford. If the Johnnies were able to land Edema, there would finally be some breathing room at the center position.
Colton Crowdis — Guard
St. John’s also hosted the class of 2026 point guard Colton Crowdis on a visit. Crowdis, who is looking to close in on a decision within the next several weeks, would like to join a Big East team, he told Adam Zagoria. Crowdis is a 6 ‘4 PG from Canada, ranked as the No. 5 PG in all of New England, per MadeHoops.
Like Edema, Crowdis has sorted through schools with interest, coming down to two teams: Marquette and St. John’s.
The summer of Milan?
Photo Courtesy / YouTube Iowa State Men’s Basketball
What if I told you there is a distinct possibility that Milan Momcilovic is rocking red and white under the bright MSG lights come October? The top forward prospect is still weighing his options as the deadline to opt out of the NBA draft sits at May 27. Could the No. 2 prospect in the portal withdraw his name from the draft class?
A report circulated on Wednesday, Momcilovic could return to college, with St. John’s, Kentucky and Louisville in the mix for the acclaimed prospect, reported by Isaac Trotter of CBS Sports.
However, Momcilovic made it clear his stipulations of returning back to college. If he were to receive late first-round interest, or a strong guaranteed second-round contract, he’d remain in the draft process. If not, he hinted that the process would move pretty quickly if he were to return to college.
The five-star transfer from Iowa State possesses stardom that St. John’s currently lacks, averaging 16.9 points while shooting 50% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc on seven attempts per contest. Adding Momcilovic solidifies the Red Storm offense, providing them with a true scoring-first wing, capable of knocking down several three’s per contest.
The Johnnies had a close-up look at what they could potentially have when facing the Cyclones in the Players Era Tournament last November, where the 6-foot-9 forward led scoring with 23 points, going 5-for-9 from three.
Top NIL donor Mike Repole took to X, stating:
I also believe we may need ONE more final piece of the puzzle to truly become a Top 10 team and make a serious Final Four run.I’ve always lived by the mantra: “Think Big. Dream Bigger.” Who do you think can be that final piece of the puzzle???
Could be : • A portal player • Someone testing the NBA Draft waters who could still return to college • An overseas player. You can give me more than one choice but must rank them in the order of preference. Let’s all have fun with this.”
Almost like a Christmas wishlist, St. John’s fans commented their wishes to Repole, treating the billion dollar man like Santa Claus.
With this year’s loaded NBA draft class, there’s a world where the day after May 27 becomes transfer portal mania 2.0, with several big names expected to re-enter the active market.
Familiar faces impress at NBA Draft Combine
St. John’s are well represented at the NBA Draft Combine — their entire starting frontcourt will have the chance to put their skills on display at the highest level. Zuby Ejiofor and Dillon Mitchell were two of 73 players invited to the 2026 NBA combine, while Bryce Hopkins was invited to the G-League combine.
After Hopkins’ performance during the G-League exhibition, he earned himself an invite to the official draft combine. In his first game, Hopkins scored 17 points while grabbing eight rebounds, going 7/11 from the field in just 20 minutes of play. In the second game, the Red Storm forward scored 11 points with four rebounds and three assists in 19 minutes.
At the NBA combine, St. John’s continued to deliver, with Ejiofor posting the following stats among the big men entering the draft:
Shooting:
Spot Up — 13/25 (11th)
Off the Dribble — 17/30 (4th)
Free Throws — 8/10 (3rd)
3-PT Star Drill — 12/25 (5th)
Side-Mid-Side — 16/28 (6th)
Athletic Measurements:
No Step Vertical Jump — 34 in (2nd)
Max Vertical Jump — 38 in (6th)
Pro Lane Drill — 11.05 Sec (12th)
3/4 Sprint — 3.2 Sec (10th)
Shuttle Run — 2.76 Sec (3rd)
Hopkins would join Ejiofor, finishing right behind him in the vertical jump, and 6th in the no-step vertical jump. Ejiofor has already completed a workout with the Utah Jazz, with 12 more teams set to meet with him next week. It’s a new era in Queens, with St. John’s having the most representation in program history at the NBA draft combine.
Side Note
On May 20, St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino will be speaking to the media. Make sure to follow here to keep up with everything that is said.