URGENT UPDATE: The Players Era Festival kicks off today in Las Vegas, where the 14th-ranked St. John’s Red Storm faces a formidable lineup, starting with the 16th-ranked Iowa State at 4:30 p.m. ET. Coach Rick Pitino describes the competition as a “who’s who” of college basketball, emphasizing the significance of these games for the team’s NCAA Tournament hopes.
The Red Storm aims to make a statement during this crucial tournament featuring 18 teams, nine of which are nationally ranked. Today’s match against Iowa State is just the beginning, as St. John’s will also play Baylor on Tuesday at the same time. The outcomes of these games could significantly impact their NCAA Tournament resume, which is essential as Selection Sunday approaches in just a few months.
“Each and every game that we play in here and win is going to help us,” said St. John’s player Zuby Ejiofor when discussing the potential benefits of a successful tournament run. The stakes are high; a poor performance could mean the team leaves Las Vegas with regrets.
St. John’s missed an opportunity for a signature win earlier this month when they fell to Alabama at the Garden. Pitino believes that experience will serve them well here, stating, “I know what we had to work on from that game, and it’s a good thing.” Ejiofor added, “When you play high-level talent, it teaches you a lot.”
As the Big East conference continues to develop, the performance in Las Vegas could be a pivotal moment for St. John’s. Currently, four of the eleven Big East teams sit in the bottom 60 for non-conference strength of schedule, according to KenPom.com. St. John’s and No. 3 UConn are among the stronger teams, but only time will tell how the rest of the conference shapes up.
Potential matchups for St. John’s later in the week could include top-tier teams if they advance. Wednesday or Thursday could see them in either a championship game or a third-place game, both of which are set to draw significant attention. The championship game is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET, with the third-place game slated for 7:00 p.m. ET.
With the stakes higher than ever, Ejiofor is looking to return to form after a standout performance against Alabama where he scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. “I did a terrible job in reading the defense,” he acknowledged, indicating his determination to improve in these key games.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on St. John’s to see if they can rise to the occasion and secure crucial wins that could resonate through the season. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this “who’s who” of college basketball impacts the Red Storm’s journey.
Stay tuned for more updates as St. John’s battles through the Players Era Festival. Will they emerge as a contender, or will they struggle in the spotlight?
