St. John’s stuns Kansas with buzzer-beater to reach Sweet 16 for first time since 1999
St. John’s stuns Kansas with buzzer-beater to move on to the sweet 16 Photo Credit : St John’s University
The most unlikely hero emerged in the most crucial moment. With 3.9 seconds left and the score tied at 65, Dylan Darling had not scored a single point against Kansas. The St. John’s junior guard had missed all four of his previous shots, yet there he was, slashing into the paint and laying up the game-winner that sent the Red Storm to a stunning 67-65 victory over the Jayhawks in Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second round.
« I just heard everybody going crazy, » Darling said after the victory. « It was pretty cool. »
THE CHURCH BELLS ARE RINGING, WE ARE GOING TO THE SWEET SIXTEEN 🛎️ pic.twitter.com/JO8RPvgAdC
— St. John's Men’s Basketball (@StJohnsBBall) March 22, 2026
Darling calls his own number in clutch moment
The most remarkable aspect of the game-winning play wasn’t just Darling’s execution, but his audacity to request it. With Kansas using fouls to run time off the clock, Darling approached coach Rick Pitino with a suggestion that left the Hall of Fame coach both baffled and impressed.
« This is the amazing thing, and the funniest thing I’ve ever been involved with, » Pitino said. « [Darling] comes up to me and says, ‘Run power,’ which is a high, back-screen pick-and-roll. So, I walk away, and I said, ‘Wait a second: He hasn’t scored a bucket, and he wants to run a play for himself.' »
Despite his shooting struggles, Pitino trusted his player’s instincts. « I just can’t imagine a player today, in today’s world, with all the scrutiny, wanting the ball when he’s shooting terrible, » Pitino said. « But as soon as [Darling] said to me to run power, I knew he could get to the rim because he hadn’t done a damn good thing the whole night, so I knew he was going to do it. »
Hopkins provides 3-point barrage to keep Johnnies alive
While Darling provided the dramatic finish, senior forward Bryce Hopkins kept St. John’s in position to win with a career performance from beyond the arc. Hopkins scored all 18 of his points on 3-pointers, making six shots from deep after never making more than three in a game all season.
The performance came despite Kansas’ scouting report indicating they were comfortable letting Hopkins shoot from distance. « I said, ‘You have to keep shooting the 3.’ I was all over Bryce Hopkins, actually got all over him. I said, ‘Why won’t you shoot the 3?’ I yelled at him when he made it, » Pitino said. « We need it because when you’re not in sync offensively because of their size, and they wouldn’t let us have a good look, your salvation is to make 3s. »
The victory marks St. John’s first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999 and represents a crucial breakthrough for both the program and the Big East Conference. For Pitino, it’s his 14th Sweet 16 appearance, making him one of only three coaches to reach the second weekend with four different programs.
« This was the final for me, to get St. John’s to the next level, » Pitino said. « And we’re not done yet. »
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