What’s Next for St. John’s and Alabama After Sweet 16 Heartbreak? A Roadmap for 2025

The sting of the Sweet 16 is unique. It’s not the crushing disappointment of a first-round upset, nor the proud finality of a title game loss. It’s the agonizing “what if” of being so close to the sport’s ultimate stage, only to have the door slammed shut. For both the St. John’s Red Storm and the Alabama Crimson Tide, the 2024 NCAA Tournament ended in this painful fashion. Now, the page turns with ferocious speed. In the modern era of college basketball, next season begins the moment the last one ends. The blueprint for 2025 is being drawn right now in living rooms, on Zoom calls, and within the chaotic swirl of the transfer portal.

St. John’s: Navigating the Pitino Vortex and Building Year Two

Rick Pitino’s first year in Queens was a rollercoaster that finished with undeniable momentum, culminating in that narrow, controversial loss to Houston. The challenge now is to build on that foundation without sliding backward, a task complicated by significant roster turnover. The identity—pressure defense, offensive pace—is set. Now, it’s about finding the players to elevate it.

The transfer portal is both a lifeline and a focus for Pitino. With key contributors like Chris Ledlum and Jordan Dingle out of eligibility, and star center Joel Soriano graduating, the frontcourt is a primary concern. Pitino has already been aggressively targeting size and scoring. The backcourt, however, could be the engine. Returning a core of Daniss Jenkins (if he uses his COVID year), Simeon Wilcher, and the explosive RJ Luis Jr. provides a crucial starting point. The development of sophomore-to-be Zuby Ejiofor into a more prominent interior force will be pivotal.

On the recruiting trail, Pitino’s pitch is clear: Come to New York, play for a Hall of Famer, and be the star that returns St. John’s to the Elite Eight. He’s targeting experienced graduate transfers who can handle his system’s demands from day one. The key for the Red Storm won’t be collecting the most talent, but the *right* talent—players who fit Pitino’s exacting, defensive-minded style.

• Primary Need: Veteran frontcourt scoring and rebounding.
• Biggest Question: Can they retain Daniss Jenkins and build a cohesive backcourt around him?
• X-Factor: The development of returning wings RJ Luis Jr. and Simeon Wilcher into consistent, high-level Big East performers.

Alabama: Sustaining Excellence in the Face of NBA Exodus

Nate Oats has built a juggernaut in Tuscaloosa, with a fourth NCAA tourney run in five years culminating in the program’s first Final Four. The system—pace, space, and a torrent of three-pointers—is proven. But maintaining that peak is a year-to-year puzzle, especially with likely massive NBA Draft losses. Star freshmen like Brandon Miller are one-and-done, and key veterans like Noah Clowney and Charles Bediako could also depart.

This is where Oats’s process faces its sternest test. Alabama’s success is increasingly tied to mastering the transfer portal and high-level recruiting. They are expected to lose a mountain of production, but Oats has shown a keen eye for identifying players who thrive in his analytically-driven scheme. Look for Alabama to target shooters with length and athletic bigs who can defend in space and finish at the rim. The return of a player like guard Rylan Griffen provides vital continuity.

Recruiting remains strong, with Oats selling NBA development and a fun, modern style of play. The pitch is no longer about building something; it’s about sustaining a national powerhouse. The focus will be on plugging immediate holes with elite transfers while continuing to stockpile high-ceiling freshmen. The goal is to avoid a “rebuild” year and instead “reload.”

• Primary Need: Volume three-point shooting and a rim-protecting, mobile center.
• Biggest Question: How quickly can a largely new roster gel within Oats’s complex system?
• X-Factor: Mark Sears’ decision. If the All-SEC guard returns, he becomes the cornerstone leader for a new-look squad.

The Modern Blueprint: Portal Strategy & Roster Construction

For both programs, the offseason strategy highlights the new duality of college basketball team-building. It’s a two-track mission:

Track 1: The High School Recruit. This is for long-term development and program culture. St. John’s needs to lock down New York City’s best, while Alabama aims to keep landing top-20 national classes. These players are the soul of the program.

Track 2: The Transfer Portal. This is for immediate need and experience. It’s a competitive marketplace where NIL resources, playing time promises, and coaching reputation are the currency. For St. John’s, it’s about finding tough, seasoned players. For Alabama, it’s about identifying elite specialists who fit their precise analytical model.

The coaches who thrive are those who can balance these tracks, avoiding over-reliance on either. Team chemistry, often overlooked, becomes the critical intangible when assembling a roster from disparate parts each spring.

Predictions and the Path Forward

The 2024-25 seasons for these two will be defined by how they navigate this pivotal summer.

For St. John’s, the expectation bar has been raised. Simply making the NCAA Tournament will be the baseline. With Pitino’s system in place and his relentless drive, they are poised to be a preseason Top 25 team and a legitimate contender in a deep Big East. Their ceiling will depend entirely on portal success—landing two impact frontcourt players could make them a second-weekend threat again.

For Alabama, a “step back” might be relative. Even with heavy losses, Oats’s system is so potent that they will remain dangerous and likely ranked. The goal is another SEC title and a top-4 seed. Their national championship aspirations, however, may hinge on whether they can find a transcendent talent in the portal to replace their departing stars, or if a returning player makes a leap into stardom.

Conclusion: The Race Begins Anew

The final buzzer of the Sweet 16 didn’t signal an end for St. John’s and Alabama; it started the clock on the 2025 campaign. Their exits, while painful, proved both programs are on the doorstep of greatness. St. John’s is revitalized under a legend, playing with a swagger not seen in decades. Alabama has cemented itself as a national brand and a perennial contender.

Now, the work is conducted not on the hardwood, but in the relentless, behind-the-scenes grind of recruitment and roster management. The coaches who can best adapt to this new, chaotic ecosystem will be the ones cutting down nets. For Rick Pitino and Nate Oats, the mission is clear: use the momentum of a brilliant, unfinished season to construct a roster that can finish the job. The offseason is their most important game.

Source: Based on news from ESPN.

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