Rutgers Is 14-20 and Those Numbers Are Getting Hard to Ignore Before Their St. John's Showdown

Alright, fam, buckle up! You know I'm always on the pulse, and this just dropped straight outta the college hoops world: St. John's Head Coach Rick Pitino just hit us with the news. He confirmed on Monday, straight from a Zoom call, that St. John's and Rutgers Basketball are gonna kick off their 2026-27 season with an exhibition game at none other than Madison Square Garden. Yeah, you heard that right, MSG! It's an early-season battle that's gonna set the tone, and let me tell you, there's a lot to unpack here, especially when you look at how these two squads finished up last year.

MSG is Calling, History's Talking

This isn't some random pickup game, folks. This is the third time these two programs are throwing down in an exhibition. They played at St. John's way back in 2023 and then squared off at Jersey Mike's Arena in 2024. And get this, those last two were charity games, meaning all that cash they pulled in went straight to a good cause. We don't have a tipoff time yet for this year's clash, but the history? Oh man, it's rich. These two used to be Big East conference mates, going head-to-head from 1995 all the way to 2012. They've met on the hardwood 42 times, and if you're keeping score, St. John's has the bragging rights, leading the all-time series 28-14. You gotta wonder if Rutgers is itching to cut into that lead, even if it's an exhibition.

Wildly Different Paths and Roster Chaos

Now, let's talk about last season, because that's where things get real interesting. St. John's, under Coach Pitino, was absolutely cooking. They wrapped up the year with an insane 30-7 overall record, including a dominant 18-2 in conference play. They even made it all the way to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament before Duke finally stopped their run. Talk about a powerhouse, right? On the flip side, Rutgers? Man, it wasn't their year. Coach Steve Pikiell's squad limped to a 14-20 overall record, with a tough 6-14 in conference. They bowed out early in the opening round of the College Basketball Crown tournament. That's a massive difference in momentum heading into this exhibition, no doubt.

And here's the kicker: both programs are gonna look almost entirely different on the court. Pitino and Pikiell have been absolutely tearing it up in the Transfer Portal, reshaping their rosters like crazy. So, while the names on the jerseys might be familiar, the guys playing in them could be totally new. It's gonna be a true test of early chemistry and coaching right out of the gate.

With tipoff still TBD for this Madison Square Garden opener, you gotta be asking yourself: Can Rutgers, with their new-look squad, shake off last year's struggles against a St. John's team that was absolutely dominant? This exhibition, even without official stakes, is gonna be a massive statement game for both programs, setting the tone for their entire 2026-27 season. Get ready for some early-season fireworks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.