Rick Pitino’s second season at St. John’s carries major expectations after a promising 2024-25 campaign that ended in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Red Storm showed flashes of elite play but fell short of their ultimate goal. This season, Pitino has reloaded his roster and built a challenging non-conference schedule that balances winnable games with national tests. These matchups will help the team establish chemistry before diving into the Big East schedule.
Complete 2025-26 Non-Conference Schedule
Monday, November 3 – Quinnipiac (Home, Queens)
The season opener takes place at Carnesecca Arena, giving fans a first look at the new roster. It’s a comfortable way to start the year before tougher opponents arrive.
Saturday, November 8 – Alabama (New York City)
One of the marquee games of November. St. John’s faces a top SEC program at Madison Square Garden, marking their first meeting with the Crimson Tide in over 40 years. A major early-season measuring stick.
Saturday, November 15 – William & Mary (Home, Queens)
A chance for the Storm to regroup after Alabama. Expect heavy rotation play as Pitino experiments with different lineups against an overmatched opponent.
Thursday, November 20 – Bucknell (Home, Queens)
The Bison have a history of sneaky competitiveness, so St. John’s will need to stay sharp. Another key home game to build confidence before heading west.
Monday, November 24 – Iowa State (Las Vegas)
The first road trip of the season and a battle against one of the Big 12’s most physical teams. The Cyclones will test St. John’s toughness and rebounding.
Tuesday, November 25 – Baylor (Las Vegas)
The second leg of the Las Vegas trip. Baylor beat the Red Storm 99-98 last season, so revenge will be on the minds of Pitino’s squad. Another high-quality test that could pay off on Selection Sunday.
Saturday, December 6 – Ole Miss (New York City)
St. John’s returns to Madison Square Garden for another SEC matchup. It’s only the second-ever meeting between the programs, and the first since 1989.
Saturday, December 13 – Iona (New York City)
Pitino faces his former school, adding extra intrigue. The game will again take place at the Garden, where local fans can expect a strong atmosphere before the holidays.
Saturday, December 20 – Kentucky (Atlanta)
The headline game of the non-conference slate. Pitino coached Kentucky to a national title in the 1990s, and this reunion is one of the most anticipated matchups of the early college season. The Wildcats lead the all-time series 11-5.
Tuesday, December 23 – Harvard (Home, Queens)
An Ivy League visit just before Christmas wraps up the non-conference portion. It’s a game St. John’s can use to fine-tune before Big East play begins.
Building Toward Big East Play
Pitino’s schedule offers a mix of challenges that could shape St. John’s into a legitimate March threat. With multiple SEC and Big 12 opponents, the Red Storm will have a national resume before January. If this group builds chemistry early and stays healthy, there’s no reason they can’t climb into the top 15 and make a deep NCAA Tournament run.