St. John’s men’s basketball ranked No. 13 in AP poll, first back‑to‑back preseason ranking since 1990‑91
St. John’s University men’s basketball was placed at No. 13 in the Associated Press preseason poll released on Oct. 19, 2026, becoming the first program in the school’s history to start consecutive seasons in the poll since the 1990‑91 campaign.
The ranking signals a tangible step forward for a team that finished the prior season as back‑to‑back Big East regular‑season and tournament champions and reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. It also follows a Big East coaches poll that projected the Red Storm to finish second behind Connecticut, with two first‑place votes and first‑team honors for guards Ian Jackson and Tounde Yessoufou.
Coach Rick Pitino highlighted the depth of the backcourt as a key factor. Returning guard Ian Jackson moves into his natural shooting‑guard role, while former Baylor standout Tounde Yessoufou, a top‑10 transfer nationally, averages 17.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. The roster is further enhanced by EuroLeague point guard Quinn Ellis, Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall and Senegalese wing Babacar Sane, all expected to make immediate impacts.
The team entered the season with two exhibition victories, first over Drexel and then against Rutgers at Madison Square Garden. Upcoming non‑conference challenges include a matchup with seventh‑ranked Texas and a December 5 showdown with No. 5 Arizona, followed by potential games against No. 11 Louisville or No. 19 Texas Tech at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas.
Pitino described the current squad as the most talented of his four St. John’s teams, while urging patience as the players coalesce after a delayed start to the semester. The preseason poll placement reflects both the program’s recent success and the high expectations surrounding a lineup that blends experience with promising newcomers.
The Red Storm will look to build on the early momentum in the coming weeks, aiming to translate preseason optimism into conference dominance and another deep run in the NCAA tournament.
