March Madness Arrives: St. Johns Poised for Deep Run, Omaha Ready for Debut
Today marks the official start of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, a day filled with anticipation, excitement, and the promise of bracket-busting upsets. The West Region, in particular, features a compelling Round of 64 matchup between the surging St. Johns Red Storm and the Cinderella story Omaha Mavericks. This game presents a stark contrast between a program steeped in tradition but recently dormant, and a newcomer eager to make its mark on the national stage.
For the St. Johns Red Storm, this tournament appearance represents the culmination of a remarkable season and the re-emergence of a basketball powerhouse. After languishing in relative obscurity for several years, the arrival of legendary coach Rick Pitino has injected new life into the program. The Red Storm’s dominant 2024-25 campaign, boasting a stellar 30-4 record, is a testament to Pitino’s coaching prowess and the team’s unwavering dedication. Their impressive performance culminated in capturing the Big East Conference title, a feat that solidified their status as a legitimate contender in this year’s tournament. This season marked the first time in nearly four decades that St. Johns reached the 30-win plateau, a powerful indicator of their resurgence. The NCAA Tournament selection committee recognized their accomplishments by awarding them a coveted No. 2 seed, positioning them favorably for a deep tournament run.
Standing in their way is the Omaha Mavericks, a team making their NCAA Tournament debut. The Mavericks’ journey to March Madness is a story of grit and determination. Despite facing challenges throughout the season, they persevered, compiling a 22-12 record and ultimately securing the Summit League title. This unexpected triumph earned them a No. 15 seed in the West Region, granting them the opportunity to compete against some of the nation’s elite programs. While the odds are stacked against them, the Mavericks are embracing the underdog role and are eager to prove that they belong on this stage.
The contrasting styles of play between St. Johns and Omaha adds another layer of intrigue to this matchup. St. Johns, according to the KenPom rankings, is the 12th-ranked team in the nation. Their success is largely predicated on their stifling defense, which is ranked No. 1 in the country. This defensive prowess allows them to dictate the tempo of games and frustrate opposing offenses. On the offensive end, the Red Storm are no slouches either, boasting a respectable 65th-ranked offense. Their balanced attack, combined with their elite defense, makes them a formidable opponent for any team.
Omaha, on the other hand, is ranked 157th overall in the KenPom rankings. Their strength lies on the offensive end, where they are ranked 97th. They rely on their ability to score points and outpace their opponents. However, their defense is a significant weakness, ranking 252nd in the nation. This defensive vulnerability could be a major challenge against a team like St. Johns, which prides itself on its defensive intensity.
Experts across the board are predicting a victory for St. Johns in this Round of 64 matchup. The combination of their superior talent, coaching, and defensive prowess makes them the overwhelming favorites. Many analysts believe that St. Johns has the potential to make a deep run in the tournament, with some even suggesting that they could reach the Final Four. The consistent theme is the impenetrable defense. Their ability to lock down opposing offenses is seen as a key factor in their potential success.
USA TODAY’s complete March Madness bracket predictions reflect this consensus, with their experts uniformly picking St. Johns to advance. They also encourage readers to explore their tournament bold predictions and upset picks for further insights into the potential surprises that await. The excitement surrounding March Madness stems from the inherent unpredictability of the tournament, where anything can happen. However, in this particular matchup, the experts believe that St. Johns’ dominance will prove too much for Omaha to overcome.
One particularly bold prediction comes from Myerberg, who envisions St. Johns making it all the way to the Final Four, driven by their top-ranked defense. This level of optimism reflects the belief that St. Johns has the potential to be a major force in this year’s tournament.
For St. Johns, this game is not just about winning; it’s about ending a long drought of tournament success. The Red Storm have not won a tournament game since 2015, a streak they are eager to break. Under the leadership of Rick Pitino, they believe they have the team and the coaching staff to make a significant impact in this year’s tournament.
Omaha, however, will not simply roll over and concede the game. They are embracing the underdog role and will come out fighting. They have nothing to lose and everything to gain. A victory against St. Johns would be a monumental upset and would cement their place in March Madness history. Their strategy likely revolves around maximizing their offensive output and hoping to exploit any defensive lapses by St. Johns. The Mavericks will need to play their best game of the season to have any chance of pulling off the upset.
The game is scheduled to be broadcast on Fubo, allowing fans across the country to witness the clash between the Red Storm and the Mavericks. Odds as of Wednesday, March 19, are provided by BetMGM, further fueling the anticipation and excitement surrounding this matchup. The data will allow fans to enjoy the thrill of the tournament to the fullest.
Ultimately, the St. Johns vs. Omaha game represents the essence of March Madness: a collision of contrasting styles, aspirations, and histories. While the experts overwhelmingly favor St. Johns, the inherent unpredictability of the tournament means that Omaha has a chance to shock the world. As the games commence, fans will be glued to their screens, eager to witness the drama and excitement that only March Madness can deliver. The outcome of this game, and many others, will shape the narrative of the tournament and determine which teams will advance to the next round, inching closer to the ultimate goal of a national championship. Only time will tell which team will prevail in this exciting contest.
