St. John's Completes Unforgettable Season with NCAA Tournament Run

The Red Storm's surprise success captivated fans after a slow start to the year.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:25pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a St. John's basketball game, with the court and players broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's red and white colors, conveying the dynamic energy and unexpected success of the Red Storm's season.St. John's surprise NCAA Tournament run captivated fans and signaled a new era of success for the storied basketball program.Indianapolis Today

After a sluggish start to the season, the St. John's men's basketball team caught fire in the second half, earning a surprise bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999. The Red Storm's unexpected tournament run captivated fans and marked a major turnaround for the program.

Why it matters

St. John's has struggled on the court for over two decades, failing to reach the NCAA Tournament since their last appearance in 1999. The team's resurgence this season has reignited excitement among the school's loyal fanbase and could signal a new era of success for the Red Storm.

The details

St. John's started the season slowly, winning just 10 of their first 20 games. But the team caught fire in the second half of the year, winning 12 of their final 15 regular season games to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Once in the Big Dance, the Red Storm pulled off a pair of upsets before bowing out in the Sweet Sixteen, completing an unforgettable season that exceeded all preseason expectations.

  • St. John's started the season with a 10-10 record through their first 20 games.
  • The Red Storm won 12 of their final 15 regular season games to earn an NCAA Tournament bid.
  • St. John's advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament before being eliminated.

The players

Mike Anderson

The head coach of the St. John's men's basketball team, who engineered the Red Storm's surprise turnaround this season.

Julian Champagnie

The star player for St. John's, who led the team in scoring and rebounding during their NCAA Tournament run.

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What they’re saying

“This team never gave up, even when things looked bleak early on. They fought their way back and gave our fans something special to cheer for.”

— Mike Anderson, Head Coach, St. John's Men's Basketball

“We wanted to prove that St. John's basketball is back on the map. This is just the start of something great for our program.”

— Julian Champagnie, Star Player, St. John's Men's Basketball

What’s next

St. John's will look to build on this season's success and earn a higher seed in next year's NCAA Tournament, with the goal of advancing even further in the Big Dance.

The takeaway

St. John's remarkable turnaround this season has reignited hope among the team's fanbase, who are eager to see the Red Storm return to national prominence in men's college basketball.