Mar 22, 2026; San Diego, CA, USA; St. John’s Crimson Storm ahead Dillon Mitchell (1) reacts within the second half towards the Kansas Jayhawks throughout a second spherical recreation of the boys’s 2026 NCAA Match at Viejas Enviornment. Necessary Credit score: Denis Poroy-Imagn Photographs
No. 5 St. John’s will play in its first Candy 16 in an NCAA match since 1999 towards No. 1 Duke, the top-ranked program within the nation. Rick Pitino’s Crimson Storm and Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils are scheduled to tip off a Friday evening filled with high-level motion on the Capital One Enviornment in Washington, D.C.
The Johnnies are coming off a nail-biting win over No. 4 Kansas, with Dylan Darling’s game-winning layup being the deciding issue. His shot turned a defining second of their season, which has been filled with highs and lows, together with a 9-5 begin earlier than ending 19-1 and profitable consecutive regular-season and match titles.
Duke, in the meantime, pulled off a 13-point victory over TCU within the second spherical. Nonetheless, the Blue Devils have begun to crack below stress, as they did not create sufficient separation from the ninth-seeded Horned Frogs through the first half.
This was a recurring theme for them, contemplating they trailed by 13 towards an inferior opponent in Siena through the first spherical. That was a recreation most thought the Blue Devils may’ve received by a big margin, however as a substitute it got here right down to them taking a lead with 5:08 left on the clock. If this development continues towards the Crimson Storm, Duke is likely to be on upset alert.
Leaping out to giant leads is one factor St. John’s has completed properly. In opposition to Northern Iowa within the opening spherical, it took a 13-point lead and by no means regarded again. The Crimson Storm did the identical towards Invoice Self’s Kansas, taking an early eight-point lead.
Persistent three-point capturing and aggressiveness within the paint have helped them accomplish this. In opposition to the Jayhawks, Bryce Hopkins drilled six of his 9 whole long-range pictures.
This strategy reignited sophomore guard Ian Jackson, who scored 10 factors and made two three-pointers. However this technique has include its issues.
For starters, Zuby Ejiofor, Joson Sanon, and Darling went a mixed 1-for-13 from past the arc towards the Jayhawks. As an entire, St. John’s shot 31% (11-for-35) from three.
The Johnnies have additionally struggled defensively in each video games down the stretch. When going through freshman guard Darryn Peterson, the Crimson Storm performed gentle protection, permitting the NBA prospect to chop their result in eight factors.
It turned extra grim from there, as free throws from Peterson made it a tie recreation. St. John’s NCAA match run may need ended there if it weren’t for Darling’s miraculous remaining shot.
Their protection will must be concise towards Duke, which runs its offense by First Workforce All-American freshman Cameron Boozer. The son of former NBA star Carlos Boozer led the Blue Devils in scoring of their earlier video games and is averaging 22.4 factors and 10.3 rebounds per recreation whereas capturing 56.3%.
Will Pitino have the ability to conjure up a defensive scheme to cease the youthful Boozer? Or will he must depend on Ejiofor main the offense, as he’s completed this complete season?
The reigning Huge East Participant of the 12 months is averaging 16.3 factors, 7.3 rebounds, and three.5 assists per recreation whereas capturing 54.5%. There’s no query that Ejiofor generally is a distinction maker on either side of the court docket, however whether or not he can maintain it towards the top-ranked workforce has but to be seen.
When St. John’s and Duke take the court docket on the Capital One Enviornment on Friday, with tip-off scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET, the highlight will likely be on how the opposing coaches can comprise Boozer and Ejiofor on offense. But when all else fails, the sport may come right down to the buzzer with a visit to the Elite Eight hanging within the stability.
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