New look St. John’s men’s basketball stifles Drexel in preseason opener

On October 14, 2026, St. John’s Red Storm defeated Drexel Dragons 81-52 in a preseason basketball exhibition game at Carnesecca Arena in New York City. This marked a significant improvement from previous exhibition games, as the Red Storm showcased their athleticism and ten new eligible players.

Quarterback Tounde Yessoufou scored a team-high 17 points, including eight rebounds and two assists in only 20 minutes of play. Veteran forward Babacar Sane was particularly dominant, earning praise from head coach Rick Pitino for his "manchild" intensity on the court. Sane scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and added two assists.

Quinn Ellis, a former EuroLeague guard, made an impact both offensively and defensively. He delivered six assists, grabbed four steals, and blocked two shots. The team struggled from three-point range, converting only 2-of-25 attempts. They also turned the ball over 19 times and were outrebounded 43-41 by Drexel.

While the Red Storm demonstrated their talent, they still needed to improve on fundamentals. Coach Pitino acknowledged the team was about "three weeks to a month" behind where he wants them to be. Despite this, he remains optimistic about the potential of this year's squad. The Red Storm will face Rutgers in their second exhibition game on Sunday, October 18 at Madison Square Garden.