Before the St. John’s men’s basketball team embarks on their journey to the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament in Washington, D.C., fans were able to show their appreciation to the players and staff at the send-off event outside of Carnesecca Arena on March 25.
Fans were treated with free food, St. John’s posters and the opportunity to be featured on a handful of local news stations covering the event. Players stayed at Taffner Fieldhouse following the event, taking pictures and signing autographs for fans.
The energy and excitement surrounding the team was high, as fans of all ages were seen grinning ear-to-ear waiting for their Red Storm to emerge. Brandon Cosby, a senior Red Storm superfan and gameday operations chair of the RedZone student organization, was among the smiling faces of the Johnnies faithful.
“At one point St. John’s was nonexistent in the college basketball world,” Cosby recalled. “This team has gotten a buzz around campus, the student body, as well as the entire fanbase. It’s been amazing.”
Senior Nick Marino, who is a member of the St. John’s pep band, lauded the basketball program for the effect it has had on school spirit in his years at the university. Despite having minimal knowledge of the sport when he first enrolled, Marino said he has “seen what basketball means to people and how it brings everybody together, especially in a city like New York”.
Fellow band member, Grant Davis, shared his enthusiasm for how far the team has come, “as soon as they hired Rick Pitino,” Davis said, “I knew we were going to be successful…he’s a winner.”
Before the team greeted the hundreds of fans waiting outside the arena, Pitino shared his thanks with the fanbase for their continued support, assuring fans that the team has been working hard to challenge their upcoming opponent: No.1 Duke. Pitino then led the team down a long line of cheering fans, followed closely by the star forward Zuby Ejiofor.
Duke has proven their mettle thus far, winning in comeback fashion over Siena in the Round of 64 and blowing out TCU in the Round of 32. Despite the Blue Devils being a formidable foe, fans have not lost faith in the Johnnies to punch their ticket to the Elite Eight.
“I feel confident,” Cosby said without a second thought.
“Duke is very beatable.” Davis concluded, saying he feels “great” about this team’s ability to pull off an upset in Washington, D.C. But he made it a point to emphasize that he has enjoyed every second of the journey that has brought the team this far.
“If the season ended…I wouldn’t be too mad,” Davis added. “I’m glad we made the Sweet Sixteen”.
St. John’s will face off against Duke in the Sweet 16 on Friday, March 27, at 7:10 p.m. on CBS.