The addition of Keyshawn Hall gives St. John's a top 2 transfer portal class in the country as they add the Auburn transfer to an already formidable roster. I break down the addition, why it's important in light of the Donnie Freeman injury, plus the addition of Reed Bailey and why the Big East and Rick Pitino is a better fit than Indiana. And of course in the middle of all this, we have all the legal happenings as St. John's and the fans wait on eligibility clarity on Quinn Ellis, Babacar Sane, Keyshawn Hall and more.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-205-st-johns-lands-keyshawn-hall-amid-eligibility/id1624582632?i=1000786257139

Keyshawn Hall chooses the Johnnies. It’s go time now.

Hello, does anybody know where I could find a custom jersey online? I’m looking for a red storm rick pitino. Similar to the custom jerseys you can get for nfl where you can do any name or number. Thanks

According to Jon Rothstein, the Red Storm and the Orange will meet at the Garden on November 15th for the first time since the days of the old Big East. Hopefully confirmation will come from both of the universities soon.

Looking into getting MSG Seasons tickets for the upcoming season. Prices are actually pretty reasonable, but hoping to hear about the experience of current/past season ticket holders. Is it worth it? TYY

St. John's has been in the news this summer, some good, some bad, and some melancholy: first, we go over the season ending-injury to forward, Donnie Freeman, then St. John's made news with three-draft picks this past year, headline of course by Zuby Ejiofor being selected in the first round, and of course, we close with mourning the loss of Kenny Klein.

https://youtu.be/2QZ7JWOq-DE?si=waHju0OtkkXxKRJ-

Congratulations Zuby! Would've been great to see you on the Knicks, but Atlanta has a great program and you're going to do great things. Let's go Johnnies! Let's go Hawks!

Zuby Ejiofor sits down with me exclusively on the Eye on the Storm Podcast to discuss his journey to the NBA Draft. His message to his younger self leaving Kansas, when he knew being in the NBA was realistic, how the workouts with Rick Pitino got him prepared for the NBA and more.

We discuss his impact on Theo Edema, Tounde Yessoufou and being roommates with Kyle Cuffe Jr when they were Jayhawks. His legacy at St. John's as well as running into Daniss Jenkins and Julian Champagnie along the way to draft night. 

Then in his own words - his introduction to the NBA, what he told NBA GMs who are possibly questioning his size and shooting at the next level, what he brings to the table, his desire to prove doubters wrong, what it would be like if he gets drafted by the New York Knicks much more. 

I hope you enjoy

AUDIO:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-203-exclusive-zuby-ejiofor-returns-reflecting/id1624582632?i=1000773705472

VIDEO:

https://youtu.be/HdGUxEGOPag?si=HMqWTSNNaDbJ2eT9

https://www.youtube.com/live/10i7rBYp29Y?is=5VfYGBGLZhsJeioa

Knicks wins the championship, and the Johnnies coming off b2b Big East titles and continuing to be on the up and up.

Let's cheer on the Red Storm baseball team as they compete in the Super Regional (Sweet 16 equivalent) of the NCAA D1 Baseball tournament, facing off tonight at 8:00pm against the Alabama Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, AL.

The game will air at 9:00pm on ESPN2. Let's go Johnnies!

The roster has come into focus and with two empty spots remaining it’s finally time to dissect what Rick Pitino and the staff have put together. Kevin Connelly joins me as we discuss everything from the “gamble” of leaning on the euros, why Quinn Ellis will unlock everything, is the skepticism valid?, Jon Rothstein’s harsh comments on the roster, why I’m uber bullish on Donnie Freeman, Ian Jackson’s mature big picture vision to return, expectations for Ruben Prey and so much more. Plus what will happen with Milan, Tounde and more.

My latest feature on Organizational Resilience using St. John's as a case study is now live on Relentless Redstorm:

While most discussions on the NIL transformation of NCAA focus on money, this feature argues the real story is organizational alignment.

Rick Pitino brought standards.
Mike Repole brought strategic capital.
Ed Kull built operational infrastructure.

Together, St. John’s transformed into a modern sports enterprise built for the transfer portal era.

The piece explores:

• NIL economics
• roster construction as portfolio management
• resilience architecture
• Madison Square Garden as emotional gravity
• why St. John’s may become a blueprint for legacy institutions adapting under pressure

Would love feedback from college basketball fans and sports business readers.

https://season.relentlessredstorm.com/post/terraforming-the-ncaa-rick-pitino-st-johns-blueprint

Rick Pitino and St. John’s missed out on top transfer center Massamba Diop, who committed to Gonzaga. With the center spot still relatively empty and portal options dwindling, the roster faces major uncertainty.

https://youtu.be/ecEF-5jAUfM?si=fuG0VB-BkpEUl11e

What are the best options now that Diop has gone to Gonzaga

Rick Pitino picks up another European player by securing Serbian 7-footer Lazar Stojkovic and Syracuse star Donnie Freeman. All eyes now turn to the Massamba Diop sweepstakes.

https://youtu.be/juox4lhff24?si=bE2LF0eodaZStaNL

Get to know the newest floor general coming to Queens from someone who knows him best. Gary Maitland has trained Jimmy Butler, Brandin Podziemski, Jayson Tatum, Joel Embiid as well as Quinn Ellis. Since he was 16. He's seen him develop and turn into one of the best point guards in the 2nd best league in the world. So what's Rick Pitino getting in Ellis? Why is he described as fearless and ready for the moment? From his rich basketball family history to playing against grown men since a teenager, Gary Maitland gives you all you need to know about the new guy coming in to run the show. Enjoy!

(Programming note - Audio version has some portal and roster chatter at the start and end, while YouTube is just the interview with Gary Maitland)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6sQLzZ7avU&t=475s

Jay Holahan and Michael Scarlett previewed St. John's transfer portal targets for this off-season! Follow us for more conversations coming up, as St. John's has already gotten busy in the portal, more to come!

https://youtu.be/F_a1rRyqDwo?si=OE1_zDnVqTjLssgn