Last season’s Big East champions are facing a very different reality this year. But this year has been a different story. Rick Pitino’s team is 12–5 to start the season, has fallen out of the rankings, and that comes with consequences.

St. John’s parted ways with general manager Matt Abdelmassih. He was long considered one of the most important figures behind St. John’s roster construction and transfer portal strategy. Abdelmassih had been on administrative leave since mid-December. According to Newsday Sports reporter Roger Rubin, financial deals tied to the program’s NIL spending had come under review in recent weeks, prompting Abdelmassih’s exit.

When Rick Pitino was asked about the situation, he had a rather cold response. “It’s out of my hands. I found out tonight. All I was told four days ago is look for another general manager. They said to me, ‘don’t ask any questions.’ I said, ‘Okay, I’ll look for one.’ So, it’s really not a big deal,” Pitino said after the win against Marquette.

He continued, “What’s a big deal is making sure that we don’t lose anything. But that’s a university decision. I’ll abide by. They didn’t ask me my opinion, and I didn’t give it because they didn’t, and in their defense, they didn’t want to bother me. They didn’t want to distract me right now, and I appreciate that.”

A St. John’s alum, Abdelmassih previously worked as an assistant at Nebraska and Iowa State under Fred Hoiberg, and also served in the same role on Chris Mullin’s staff at St. John’s. He played a major role in St. John’s best season in 25 years last winter, helping assemble a roster that featured key additions like Kadary Richmond, Deivon Smith, and Aaron Scott. That group won 31 games and delivered the program’s most successful season in 25 years.

So naturally, expectations were high for the Johnnies this season. Abdelmassih played a major role in putting together the No. 1 transfer class in the country this offseason, per 247Sports.com.

Rick Pitino’s team entered the season ranked No. 5 in the AP Preseason Poll — the highest mark in program history. That was thanks to a stacked transfer class the general manager helped build around Big East Preseason Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor. Five-star prospect Joson Sanon and senior guard Oziyah Sellers were expected to provide the perimeter threat the Red Storm lacked last season.

There’s Dillon Mitchell, the 6’8” forward who came over from Cincinnati after nearly averaging a double-double every game last season, and Dylan Darling, the reigning Big Sky Player of the Year who nearly averaged 20 points and six assists at Idaho State. And then came the prized additions in Ian Jackson and Bryce Hopkins, who were already stars in college basketball.

Unfortunately, with 11 new players (seven transfers and four freshmen), it was always going to be tough for Rick Pitino to build rhythm and chemistry right away. The Red Storm have already taken five losses, and that’s led the school to look into how the general manager used his reported $10+ million NIL budget, especially with several newcomers failing to make an impact.

While Pitino had final approval on roster decisions, Abdelmassih handled player negotiations, and reports indicate concerns over spending played a role in his dismissal.

What’s next for Rick Pitino and St. John’s?

The Johnnies are 5–1 to start Big East play and sit behind UConn, who look poised to reclaim the top spot in the Big East this season. But the Big East isn’t as demanding as some other conferences, like the SEC, and that gives Rick Pitino a little more time to get his players fully bought into his system.

Outside of UConn and Seton Hall, there aren’t any ranked teams in the Big East at the moment, and that works in Pitino’s favor as he looks to lock down second in the conference. But he still has to keep winning games. Next up is Villanova, and ESPN gives the Johnnies a 51% shot at the W.

It will be interesting to see how the Red Storm handles the Villanova test. It won’t be easy by any means, but it’s time for players to step up and deliver. Right now, it’s been all Zuby Ejiofor, who currently leads the program in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks. That level of reliance on one player won’t be sustainable in March, and if they want to go beyond the Sweet 16 this season, they’ll need others to step up.