St. John’s Buzzer-Beater Sends Red Storm to Sweet 16
St. John’s vs. Kansas: A Buzzer-Beater That Changed the Game
Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second round game between No. 4 Kansas and No. 5 St. John’s was already a highly anticipated matchup, featuring two legendary coaches in Rick Pitino and Bill Self. The game took an unforgettable turn when Dylan Darling hit a buzzer-beater to send the Red Storm to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999. This moment not only secured St. John’s spot in the next round but also etched itself into March Madness history.
A Historic Buzzer-Beater
Dylan Darling drove to the basket and finished with a layup as time expired, marking the first game-winning buzzer beater in Men’s NCAA Tournament history by a player who scored his first basket of the game. According to CBS Sports, this achievement highlights the significance of the moment and the pressure that came with it.
St. John’s now advances to face No. 1 Duke in Washington D.C. for the Sweet 16. The game was a showcase of talent, strategy, and heart, with both teams giving everything they had on the court.
Key Players and Their Impact
Zuby Ejiofor, a former Kansas player, is now the Big East Player of the Year at St. John’s. His journey from Kansas to St. John’s under Rick Pitino has been closely watched. Ejiofor, a 6-9 forward, started his college career at Kansas under Bill Self before transferring to St. John’s in 2023.
Self expressed mixed feelings about Ejiofor’s decision, stating, “We didn’t want him to leave. We’re really happy for his success. We just don’t … We just hope it doesn’t come against us.” Ejiofor explained his choice, saying, “I had a fun time at Kansas. I wouldn’t lie: I didn’t really want to leave. But I knew that in order for my future to keep progressing the way I wanted to go, that I had to probably look elsewhere for a bigger opportunity.”
Darryn Peterson and the NBA Draft
Another key figure in the game was Darryn Peterson, a Kansas freshman whose performance caught the attention of NBA scouts. In the 2026 NBA Draft mock predictions, Peterson is projected to be picked second overall by the Washington Wizards. Kalbrosky’s analysis highlights Peterson’s potential despite some inconsistencies and injury concerns. He is seen as one of the most talented players in the class, with the ability to score efficiently and handle high usage rates.
Rick Pitino praised Peterson, noting his size, scoring ability, and potential to become a great NBA player. “He gets to the foul line, he’s got great size, got a beautiful looking jump shot with great arc,” Pitino said. “His size presents a problem. When he uses the pick and roll, he’ll reject it, and his size getting to the rim’s great. He’s a great scorer. He’s going to be a great NBA player because he has an NBA game.”
Coaches’ Backgrounds
Rick Pitino, known for his successful coaching career, has reached the Sweet 16 13 times, with his last appearance in 2014-15 with Louisville. Bill Self, another Hall of Fame coach, has made 12 Sweet 16 appearances in his career. Their rivalry added an extra layer of intensity to the game, as both coaches brought their experience and strategies to the court.
Game Details and Viewing Information
The game took place at 5:15 p.m. ET on Sunday in San Diego. Fans could watch the game on CBS, with streaming available via Paramount+. The odds for the game were provided by BetMGM, with St. John’s favored at -170 and Kansas at +140. The spread was set at St. John’s -3.5, and the over/under total was 143.5.
Other Sports News
In addition to the NCAA Tournament action, other sports news included updates on NFL plays, college sports scores, and more. The article also highlighted the importance of following live updates for all the top sports news.
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