noti.group’s Zach Braziller gives three predictions for St. John’s ahead of the 2025-26 college basketball season.
Five Johnnies average in double figures
There won’t be one individual big-time scorer. There will be balance, as Ejiofor, Hopkins, Sanon, Mitchell and Jackson all average at least 10 points. Pitino has raved about the unselfishness of this group. Being without a true No. 1 option — there will be five of them — makes St. John’s difficult to defend.
Darling fills key role
The 6-1 lefty eventually emerges by mid-January as the guy Pitino goes to late in games at point guard. Darling is tough enough, as the son of former NFL linebacker James Darling, to handle some bumps along the way. He’s learning what works for him at this level, lessons that will be applied as the season continues.
St. John’s loses twice in Las Vegas
Similar to last November’s uneven trip to The Bahamas, the Johnnies will struggle in the Players Era Championship, falling to Iowa State in the opener and Michigan on day three in a rematch of the exhibition.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
