"But make no mistake: The college basketball season starts Monday. When The Associated Press national rankings come out at about noon, St. John's very likely will be ranked in the top 10, and that would be something that hasn't happened since the 1991-92 season. In fact, the Red Storm haven't opened a season in the national rankings in more than a quarter-century, 26 years to be exact."
""I think ESPN had us five. AP [will] have us whatever the number may be," Pitino said Wednesday at the Garden. "I don't think it's really important because you're going to find out with Michigan and Alabama [on Nov. 8 at the Garden] if we're for real ... We could do what St John's has done in past years and open up 10-0 and you would have no clue whether we're [great]. But you're going to find out with Michigan and Alabama.""
St. John's begins its season Nov. 3 at home against Quinnipiac with an exhibition against Towson and a final preseason tuneup Oct. 25 against Michigan at the Garden. The Associated Press national rankings are expected to place St. John's in the top 10, the program's first opening-season ranking since 1991-92. Coach Rick Pitino enters his third season amid high anticipation. The schedule includes marquee opponents Michigan, Alabama and Iowa State in the Players Era Tournament in Las Vegas. The roster returns all-Big East first-teamer Zuby Ejiofor and added a top-ranked transfer class, and shooting has improved.
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