UConn has been the standard of success in the Big East, taking over Villanova's spot on the mantel with consecutive national championships.

St. John's rapid rise under coach Rick Pitino brought the Red Storm back into the national spotlight and created what could be a two-team race with UConn at the top of the Big East.

“Anybody with Coach Pitino’s success is going to come in and change a program," UConn senior forward Alex Karaban said. "The way he’s done it at St. John’s, its been incredible what he’s done, he’s been able to elevate that program to contenders now..”

Once a power program in the Big East, St. John's had become an afterthought in the national consciousness with three NCAA Tournament appearances between 2002-24, all resulting in first-round losses.

Pitino had become the

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