St. John’s Faces Tough Challenge Against Baylor in Baha Mar Hoops Championship

NASSAU, Bahamas — St. John’s basketball team prepares to switch from the ‘kiddie end’ of the pool to deeper waters as they face one of the nation’s top teams on Thursday night. Sunday’s game against New Mexico was a significant step, but the matchup against Baylor at the Baha Mar Hoops Championship represents a major challenge.

The New Mexico Lobos provided a solid test, with St. John’s leading nearly the entire game to secure a 14-point victory. Rick Pitino‘s 22nd-ranked team displayed potential for dominance, showcasing a strong performance at Madison Square Garden.

However, Baylor represents a different caliber of opponent. Ranked No. 13, the Big 12 powerhouse has an impressive pedigree, averaging 25.6 wins over the past five seasons and participating in nine out of the last ten NCAA Tournaments. The team includes standout players such as Norchad Omier from Miami, Jeremy Roach from Duke, and future NBA prospect V.J. Edgecombe.

«They’re one of 10 or 12 teams I’ve seen so far this year that could play in the Final Four,» remarked Rick Pitino, the St. John’s coach, while preparing for the team’s first ranked versus ranked nonconference game in 25 years. «Tennessee is also in this tournament. They’re another team I could see reaching the Final Four,» Pitino stated, emphasizing the high level of competition.

St. John’s has had a strong start this season, maintaining a perfect 4-0 record. Their victory over New Mexico was the team’s best performance under Pitino so far, with the coaching staff grading it as a B- due to more positives than negatives.

The Johnnies outperformed New Mexico in several areas, notably outrebounding them by 17 and outscoring them by 10 points in the paint, while also limiting the effectiveness of dynamic guard Donovan Dent. Five St. John’s players scored in double figures, underscoring their ability to overwhelm a solid opponent.

«I was very encouraged,» Pitino said. «I liked our pace, passing, and rebounding, but now we’re up against a different level. We can’t afford the mistakes we made against New Mexico. Baylor’s gifted offensively—they drive, shoot, and rebound very well, which will pose a substantial challenge.»

Pitino is focusing on defending the 3-point line, given the Bears’ strategy of playing four guards simultaneously, spreading the floor, and shooting from deep. So far, St. John’s opponents have managed only 30.5% from beyond the arc, but Baylor’s prowess is expected to test this defensive metric.

Baylor, now sitting at 3-1, endured a 101-63 defeat to Gonzaga early in the season but rebounded with a narrow victory over 20th-ranked Arkansas and two dominant wins over Sam Houston State and Tarleton State, scoring 100 points over these games collectively.

The Bears will be without guard Langston Love due to an ankle injury, yet the team remains a formidable force.

This event marks the beginning of a challenging trip for St. John’s. Depending on Thursday’s outcomes, they will encounter either No. 11 Tennessee or Virginia on Friday, followed by a nonconference match against an improved Georgia team on Sunday. The team arrived in Nassau confident, ready to make a statement.

«We all believe that we can beat Baylor,» forward Zuby Ejiofor said. «We all believe that we can win the tournament.»