UPDATE: St. John’s is set for a pivotal week at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, kicking off with a crucial game against No. 16 Iowa State at 4:30 p.m. ET today. The Red Storm, currently ranked 14th, is aiming for a standout performance that could shape their NCAA Tournament resume.
The atmosphere is charged as the Red Storm prepares to face a lineup described by head coach Rick Pitino as “a who’s who of college basketball.” This 18-team festival features nine nationally ranked squads, setting the stage for high-stakes matchups that could have lasting implications for the season.
St. John’s also faces Baylor tomorrow at the same time, with potential third games depending on their performance. The urgency is palpable; a strong showing could propel St. John’s into the conversation for a higher seed come Selection Sunday.
“Each and every game that we play in here and win is going to help us, especially with that resume,” said player Zuby Ejiofor, highlighting the importance of these early-season battles. The Storm missed an opportunity for a signature win earlier this month against Alabama, a game they lost. But Pitino believes the lessons learned will serve them well in Las Vegas.
“When you play high-level talent, it teaches you a lot,” Ejiofor emphasized. “That game showed us exactly what our weaknesses were — especially on defense.”
As the Red Storm prepares to take on top-tier teams, they understand that the performance in this tournament could significantly impact their standing in the Big East as well as their overall tournament prospects. Currently, four of the eleven Big East teams rank in the bottom 60 for non-conference strength of schedule, according to Kenpom.com, making victories in this festival even more critical.
St. John’s has an opportunity to showcase its talents against formidable opponents. The pressure is on Ejiofor, who previously scored 27 points against Alabama but has struggled to maintain consistency in subsequent games. “I didn’t play up to my standards,” he admitted, signaling his determination to improve in the upcoming matchups.
The Players Era Festival consists of two pools with games taking place at the Michelob Ultra Arena and the MGM Grand Garden Arena. The tournament format includes predetermined games leading to a championship matchup for the pool winners later this week. The stakes couldn’t be higher for St. John’s.
The Red Storm’s journey in Las Vegas is not just a test of skill but a chance to build momentum for the season ahead. As they gear up for these must-win games, fans and analysts alike are awaiting how this week will shape the narrative for St. John’s and the entire Big East conference.
Stay tuned for live updates and results as the Players Era Festival unfolds!
