No. 25 St. John’s, riding a six-game win streak and fresh off Rick Pitino’s historic 900th victory, hosts Butler in a critical Big East matchup. The Red Storm are looking to solidify their NCAA Tournament credentials while the Bulldogs aim to continue their own three-game winning streak.
The scene inside the Cintas Center on Saturday was pure, unadulterated joy. St. John’s players drenched their head coach, Rick Pitino, in water and celebrated with commemorative T-shirts after a monumental 88-83 comeback win over Xavier. This victory wasn’t just another notch on the belt; it marked the 900th win of Pitino’s legendary Hall of Fame career, placing him fourth on the all-time Division I wins list and just three behind the great Roy Williams. This historic moment has propelled the Red Storm back into the Top 25 for the first time since December, and now, they seek a seventh straight victory when they host a resurgent Butler team.
This current streak is a dramatic turnaround for a team that looked lost just a month ago. The Red Storm (15-5, 8-1 Big East) hit rock bottom on Jan. 3, squandering a 13-point lead in a humiliating 77-71 home loss to Providence. They were a team lacking confidence and direction. But since that low point, a new identity has emerged. The run began with a convincing 84-70 victory at Butler on Jan. 6, setting the tone for what was to come. Blowout wins over Creighton and Marquette followed, punctuated by a gritty seven-point win at Villanova. The latest victory, however, showcased the team’s character most impressively.
Down by as many as 16 points against Xavier, coached by Pitino’s son Richard, the Red Storm refused to break. They ended the game on a breathtaking 33-13 run, fueled by a career performance from reserve guard Dylan Darling. Darling scored all 11 of his points during the decisive run, hitting three 3-pointers and a layup that shifted the momentum. “I’ve said this all along to you guys all year long, how enjoyable they are,” Pitino said. “But tonight was the icing on the cake, because a lot of teams would break, down 12, down 10, and they never broke, they just stayed with it.”
The win was a total team effort. Bryce Hopkins led the charge with 18 points, while Dillon Mitchell continued his strong play since entering the starting lineup, contributing 17 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Ian Jackson added 16 points, and Zuby Ejiofor notched his fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds. This balanced attack has become the hallmark of St. John’s resurgence.
Standing in their way is a Butler team that understands what it’s like to go through a losing streak. The Bulldogs (13-7, 4-5) have lost seven straight to St. John’s since Feb. 7, 2023, and were in the midst of a four-game skid earlier this month. That stretch prompted a players-only meeting, a common tactic for a talented team searching for its identity. The message clearly resonated.
Since that low point, Butler has been a different team, winning three straight games. Their latest victory was an impressive 87-76 home win over Marquette, a team that also defeated St. John’s earlier in the season. Finley Bizjack has been the engine of this resurgence, leading the Bulldogs in scoring in each game of their hot streak. He poured in 28 points against Marquette and is now 8-1 on the season when he scores at least 20 points. “We just got tired of losing,” Bizjack said. “We’re too good of a team. We’re all too talented. We all like each other way too much to be going through a stretch like that.”
For Butler, this game is a chance to prove they are a legitimate contender in the Big East. For St. John’s, it’s a chance to build on their momentum and further solidify their position on the NCAA Tournament bubble. The Red Storm’s defense will be tested by Butler’s improved offense, while the Bulldogs will need to find a way to contain the dynamic duo of Hopkins and Mitchell. This matchup is more than just another game on the schedule; it’s a clash of two teams heading in opposite directions, both fighting to define their season.
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