With a Big East regular season championship in tow, St. John’s now has its highest ranking since Jan. 29, 1991.
The Red Storm climbed to No. 6 in the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches’ polls, which were released on Monday afternoon.
St. John’s improved to 26-4 and 17-2 in Big East play after victories on Wednesday against Butler and on Saturday at Madison Square Garden against Seton Hall, which wrapped up the school’s first outright conference title since 1984-85. It won shares of the regular-season crown in 1986 and 1992.
This is just the eighth time in program history that St. John’s has ranked within the AP’s top six (1950-51, 1960-61, 1968-69, 1982-83, 1984-85, 1985-86, 1990-91), as it continues to reach unfamiliar heights with head coach Rick Pitino at the helm in just his second year at the Queens school.
The Red Storm’s 17 Big East wins is a program record, while the 26 overall wins this season are the most since it won 31 in 1985-86.
“We’re happy for a lot of reasons,” Pitino said after his side’s win on Saturday against Seton Hall. “This was a goal of ours. A lot of people share in this dream of ours from the beginning of the year. For me, looking behind the basket and seeing the students out in full force is very rewarding for me, personally. Seeing a sold-out Madison Square Garden again is very rewarding for me, personally… For St. John’s, it’s a special night. It’s been 40 years for our student body. It’s really, really special.”
