St. John's returns to glory with Zuby Ejiofor's historic performance

In New York, on March 15, 2025, Zuby Ejiofor achieved a significant milestone by scoring a career-high 33 points in a pivotal matchup against No. 25 Marquette. This performance set a record for St. John's in the Big East Tournament, demonstrating Ejiofor's exceptional talent and resilience. His efforts enabled the sixth-ranked Red Storm to overcome an early 15-point deficit and secure a 79-63 victory, marking the first time in 25 years that the team advanced to the Big East championship game. The victory was bolstered by contributions from Big East Player of the Year RJ Luis Jr. and Kadary Richmond, who also had impactful performances that night. This win not only highlighted the skill of the players but also the strategic coaching of Rick Pitino, who is in his second season with the Red Storm. As a result of this victory, St. John's improved its record to an impressive 29-4 and has now won eight consecutive games, along with 18 of their last 19 games since the new year. The momentum built from this matchup puts St. John's in a promising position as they prepare to face No. 2 seed Creighton in the championship game on March 16, at Madison Square Garden. The journey to this point has been a remarkable transformation for the St. John's basketball program under Pitino's leadership. Despite earlier skepticism regarding his ability to rejuvenate the team, his success has silenced critics and established St. John's as a formidable contender in college basketball once again. The players have displayed a strong work ethic and a fierce desire to represent their university, winning not only regular-season honors but also the Big East tournament. This resurgence has sparked anticipation not only for the upcoming championship game but also for their expected high seeding in the NCAA Tournament. In addition to Ejiofor's stunning performance and the team's resilience, the Red Storm's success can be attributed to Pitino's strategic adjustments and an effective utilization of the players' strengths. His extensive history of successful coaching at multiple prestigious universities has led him to find the right mix of talent and determination among his current roster. The team has forged a winning culture, combining newer players through the transfer portal while nurturing the home-grown talent like Ejiofor and Luis. The outcome of the upcoming game against Creighton will further define the Red Storm's legacy and solidify their resurgence in the Big East. As St. John's prepares for March Madness, the excitement surrounding the team is palpable. They are set to face Creighton, a team against whom they split their regular-season matchups. The Red Storm’s new identity as a top team in the conference has proven successful, making fans hopeful that the storied program can capture another tournament title and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. The potential of winning the tournament would not only enhance the legacy of Rick Pitino but also reignite the passion of St. John's basketball for the current generation of players and fans alike.