St. John’s is ranked #24 in the AP Poll

St. John’s is ranked in the AP Poll at #24, after a pair of solid victories — a 20-point drubbing of the then-#16 team, Marquette, and an overtime road win over Georgetown.

Fans had debated whether the Red Storm should have been ranked when they were undefeated, but a weak non-conference schedule obviously gave voters pause, as the Johnnies received enough votes to remain in the purgatory of “Others Receiving Votes”.

Finally, the Johnnies, after improving to 2-1 in the Big East, have joined the ranks of the ranked.

Marquette remains in the AP Poll at #21. Villanova has the highest vote total of those Others Receiving Votes; St. John’s faces the Wildcats, the 26th team in the poll, tomorrow.

Seton Hall is 33rd in votes received, and no other Big East team is mentioned.

Duke is at the top of the poll, followed by Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia and Gonzaga. Undefeated Houston is 17th.

St. John’s has not been ranked since the week of January 5th, 2015. The shorthanded but senior-laden team in Steve Lavin’s final year suffered a three-game losing streak to drop from the polls. That team made the NCAA Tournament, but fell to San Diego State. Steve Lavin soon “parted ways” with St. John’s.

The Red Storm that season were ranked as high as 15th.

Shamorie Ponds was also named Big East Player of the Week earlier today.