St. John’s Athletics to Host NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Send-off on Wednesday

Dylan Darling drained the game-winning layup as time expired in a 67-65 win over Kansas in the NCAA Tournament Second Round in San Diego, sending the St. John's men's basketball team to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999.

St. John’s Athletics to Host NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Send-off on Wednesday

3/24/2026 4:01:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Students, alumni, and supporters are invited to attend an NCAA Tournament Fan Fest in Carnesecca Arena Plaza prior to the men’s basketball team’s departure for Washington D.C.

QUEENS, N.Y. – St. John's Athletics invites all students, alumni, and supporters to a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Send-off event on Wednesday beginning at 2:40 p.m. at Carnesecca Arena Plaza. Fans in attendance will be treated to food, refreshments, music and performances from the Red Storm's pep band and spirit teams.

Led by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, St. John's will make its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 since 1999. The fifth-seeded Johnnies travel to Washington D.C. for a matchup with the tournament's overall top-seed Duke (34-2) at 7:10 p.m. on CBS.

St. John's (30-6) advanced to the second weekend of the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a thrilling victory over fourth-seeded Kansas, 67-65, on Sunday in San Diego. Dylan Darling drained a buzzer beating layup to send the Red Storm off with its eighth-straight victory.

The Sweet 16 Send-off pep rally will culminate with the men's basketball players and coaches greeting fans prior to departing for the nation's capital.

Media members are welcome to attend and capture the sights and sounds from Carnesecca Arena Plaza.