St. John's lands highest AP Top 25 national ranking in 33 seasons
St. John's Red Storm guard Kadary Richmond dribbles the ball up court against the Connecticut Huskies at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
St. John’s ascent in the national rankings continued on Monday in the wake of its beatdown of two-time defending national champion Connecticut on Sunday. The Red Storm climbed three spots to No. 7 in the AP poll released on Monday afternoon.
St. John’s (24-4) last attained a No. 7 ranking in the early weeks of the 1991-92 season, the last time it earned a share of the Big East regular-season title.
The Red Storm are 15-2 in conference play and hold a two-game lead over Creighton with three games to play. They can lock up at least a share of the Big East title on Wednesday with a victory over Butler in the teams’ 9 p.m. game in Indianapolis.
St. John’s can earn its first outright conference crown since the 1985 Final Four team that same night if it wins and Creighton loses to DePaul. If St. John’s and Creighton both win on Wednesday night, St. John’s can clinch the outright title when it faces Seton Hall at the Garden on Saturday.
“We want this Big East crown badly, not only for the players but for the fans who came back like I never expected,” coach Rick Pitino said after Sunday’s win.
“So we’re very excited about being in the hunt . . . Winning the Big East would mean a lot.”
St. John’s is one of two Big East teams that are nationally ranked this week. Marquette fell five spots and is No. 21. Creighton is receiving votes and is one spot outside the Top 25.
Richmond recognized
Kadary Richmond was named the Big East Player of the Week on Monday.
In the Red Storm’s wins at DePaul and against the Huskies, he averaged 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals and shot 52%.
In his last 11 games, Richmond is averaging 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.4 steals.
Richmond is the second St. John’s player to earn the weekly honor. RJ Luis Jr. has won it twice this season.
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
