Exhibition Preview: No. 7 Michigan vs. No. 5 St. John’s

This weekend, college basketball fans get an early taste of top-tier competition as the No. 7 ranked Michigan Wolverines travel to New York City to face No. 5 ranked St. John’s Red Storm in an exhibition contest at Madison Square Garden.

While technically a preseason game, this matchup carries serious weight for both programs as they look to finalize rotations, test new players, and build momentum before the regular season tips off.

What’s at Stake

For Michigan, this is more than a tune-up. Head coach Dusty May has made it clear that he values early challenges as a way to expose weaknesses and accelerate growth. The Wolverines are still building chemistry after a busy offseason that saw several key additions. Freshmen and transfers like Aday Mara and Morez Johnson Jr. are expected to make an immediate impact after missing the previous exhibition game.

For St. John’s, led by veteran coach Rick Pitino, expectations couldn’t be higher. The Red Storm enter the year as Big East favorites and a legitimate national title contender after an impressive previous season. Facing a top-ten Michigan team offers a chance to measure themselves against elite competition and show that their lofty ranking is justified.

A win—even in an exhibition setting—would send a strong message. For Michigan, it’s about validating their top-ten status. For St. John’s, it’s about proving they can dominate at the national level.

Key Matchups and Storylines

Frontcourt Battle:

The matchup inside could decide the tone of the game. St. John’s features a dominant returning forward in Zuby Ejiofor, while Michigan will counter with its talented young bigs, Mara and Johnson. How well Michigan’s new frontcourt handles that test will say a lot about where the Wolverines stand early in the season.

Guard Play and New Faces:

Michigan’s backcourt is full of promise but still gelling. The Wolverines will rely on a mix of newcomers and returning players to create balance and tempo. St. John’s, meanwhile, has added explosive athletes like Dillon Mitchell, whose versatility gives the Red Storm multiple scoring options.

Coaching Chess Match:

Dusty May and Rick Pitino represent two very different coaching philosophies. May emphasizes pace, movement, and spacing, while Pitino thrives on pressure defense and deep rotations. Expect both to experiment with different lineups as they search for combinations that work best against elite talent.

The Venue:

Playing at Madison Square Garden adds an extra layer of intensity. Michigan has traditionally performed well on the big stage, while St. John’s benefits from a passionate home-city crowd eager to see how their team stacks up against Big Ten competition.

What to Watch

• Can Michigan avoid the slow starts and second-half lapses that appeared in their previous exhibition?
• Will St. John’s show the dominance expected of a top-five team, or will early-season chemistry still be a work in progress?
• Which newcomer will stand out under the bright lights—Mara or Johnson for Michigan, or Mitchell for St. John’s?
• How deep into their benches will both coaches go as they look to test combinations and establish rotations?

Final Thoughts

The score won’t count in the official standings, but the implications are real. Michigan is looking to prove that its new-look roster belongs among the nation’s elite, while St. John’s is eager to confirm its preseason hype. Expect a fast-paced, physical, and emotional matchup that should offer an early glimpse into what both of these top-ten teams can become.

For fans, it’s a perfect preview of what promises to be one of the most exciting college basketball seasons in years.