The St. John’s Red Storm have already announced their return to national relevance. Now, they may be on the brink of something even bigger — a rivalry showdown that has been building all season.
And according to UConn Huskies head coach Dan Hurley, it could get intense.
“We’ve gotta try to support each other on Friday night against our opponents so that we can then have a bloodbath on Sunday,” Hurley said, referencing a potential fourth meeting this season with the Huskies.
The comment only heightened anticipation around a matchup that has already produced three dramatically different results and could now reach its peak with a trip to the Final Four on the line.
St. John’s Has Already Proven It Can Beat UConn
If the teams meet again, St. John’s won’t be intimidated.
The Red Storm hold a 2-1 edge in the season series, including a dominant 72-52 victory over UConn in the Big East championship game — a performance that underscored just how far the program has come under Rick Pitino.
That win didn’t just clinch a title. It sent a message.
After splitting the regular-season meetings — with each team earning a convincing win — St. John’s delivered its most complete performance when it mattered most.
Momentum Fueled by March Madness Magic
St. John’s carried that confidence into the NCAA Tournament.
The Red Storm advanced to the Sweet 16 with a dramatic 67-65 victory over the Kansas Jayhawks, sealed by Dylan Darling’s buzzer-beating layup.
Darling, who had not made a field goal all game, delivered his only basket at the buzzer — a moment that has quickly become one of the defining plays of this year’s tournament.
The sequence reflected the team’s identity: resilient, confident and unafraid of the moment.
The win also pushed St. John’s to 21 victories in its last 22 games, making it one of the hottest teams in the country entering the second weekend.
Duke Presents the Next Challenge
Before any potential rematch with UConn can happen, St. John’s must first get past the No. 1 overall seed, the Duke Blue Devils.
The matchup represents the toughest test yet — but also another opportunity for the Red Storm to prove they belong among the nation’s elite.
With momentum on their side, they enter the game with belief.
On the other side, UConn has to hurdle the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet 16.
Rivalry Energy Extends Beyond the Court
Hurley acknowledged that the tension between the programs goes beyond the hardwood.
“It’s pretty brutal on Twitter… between our fan bases,” he said.
That intensity has only added to the intrigue surrounding a possible fourth meeting — one that would come with even higher stakes than their previous matchups.
Despite the competitive tone, Hurley also offered a notable endorsement.
“I just think us and St. John’s are two of the best teams in the country,” he said.
For St. John’s, that recognition reflects a season defined by growth, consistency and belief.
‘Bloodbath’ Sunday?
For now, the focus remains on Duke.
But the possibility of facing UConn again — with everything on the line — continues to loom.
If it happens, it won’t just be another game.
It will be exactly what Hurley promised — a collision shaped by familiarity, momentum and the kind of intensity March Madness was built for.
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