In a highly anticipated matchup, St. John's showcased their progress under new head coach Rick Pitino as they overwhelmed Butler with a commanding 86-70 victory at Carnesecca Arena. The game marked the return of former St. John's point guard, Posh Alexander, who transferred to Butler following the coaching change from Mike Anderson to Pitino.

As Alexander stepped onto the court, he was greeted warmly by the Red Storm fans, but his former teammates were not as kind. They shut down the Brooklyn native after halftime, effectively neutralizing his impact on the game. It was Daniss Jenkins, not Alexander, who stole the show as he emerged as the best point guard on the floor, leading the Johnnies to victory.

Jenkins downplayed the one-on-one matchup, stating that all he cared about was winning. He acknowledged Alexander's contributions to the St. John's program and appreciated the ovation he received from the fans. However, Jenkins' sole focus was on securing the win for his team.

Jenkins' recent performances have been impressive, with improved efficiency and reduced turnovers. Against Butler, he contributed 17 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals, with just one turnover in 34 minutes. Over the past six games, Jenkins has maintained a remarkable five-to-one ratio of 40 assists to eight turnovers. His stellar play has coincided with St. John's resurgence as they have started to resemble the team many had anticipated.

While Jenkins stood out, this victory was a collective effort from the Johnnies. They held Butler to a meager 32.3 percent shooting in the second half and had six players scoring in double figures. Joel Soriano and RJ Luis each contributed 14 points, while freshman Brady Dunlap had a career-high 13 points after not seeing any playing time in the previous four games. Despite a sprained ankle, Chris Ledlum recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, playing a crucial role in St. John's dominance on the glass, outrebounding Butler by 11. Ledlum's determination to play through the injury earned him praise from Coach Pitino.

Pitino commended Ledlum's performance and expressed his appreciation for the senior forward's contributions. He acknowledged that Ledlum was not fully recovered but chose to play through the pain, displaying his commitment to the team. Pitino credited the trainers for their efforts in preparing Ledlum for the game and emphasized the importance of his presence on the court.

While Alexander managed to score 11 points in the first half, his impact waned in the second half as he struggled with turnovers and shooting. He finished the game shooting 5-for-12 from the field with three turnovers. On the Butler side, DJ Davis led his team with an impressive 25 points, but the Bulldogs' leading scorers, Pierre Brooks and Jahmyl Telfort, were held to a combined 20 points on 5 of 20 shooting.

The first half of the game was an entertaining affair, with St. John's largely in control. They never trailed and held a lead of up to eight points. This victory showcased the progress made by St. John's under Pitino's guidance, leaving fans hopeful for a successful season ahead.