The preseason hype around St. John’s has reached an all-time high.

St. John’s is No. 5 in the Associated Press’ first Top 25 poll , marking the highest preseason ranking in program history.

The only schools ahead of Rick Pitino’s Red Storm are No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston, No. 3 Florida and No. 4 UConn.

St. John’s had never placed higher than No. 7 in the preseason poll. It was No. 7 before the 1984-85 season, a year in which the Johnnies surged to their second — and most recent — trip to the Final Four.

This is the first time St. John’s has appeared in the AP’s preseason Top 25 since before the 1999-2000 season, when it was No. 18.

This year’s preseason recognition follows a 2024-25 campaign in which St. John’s won its first outright Big East championship since 1985 and its first

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