Arizona men's basketball is set to make a highly anticipated trip to the Big Apple next season, with a marquee matchup against St. John's at Madison Square Garden scheduled for Dec. 5, according to college hoops insider Jon Rothstein. This game, part of the Hall of Fame Series that the Wildcats regularly participate in, promises to be a highlight of the nonconference schedule.

The Wildcats are coming off a thrilling season that saw them reach the Final Four for the first time in 25 years, reestablishing themselves as a national powerhouse. Now, they'll head to the mecca of college basketball to face a St. John's team that is equally hungry for success. The Red Storm, coached by Hall of Famer Rick Pitino, just made their first Sweet 16 appearance since 1999, proving they are back on the rise. Pitino, the active Division I wins leader with over 900 victories, always brings a tactical edge to the court.

This won't be the first meeting between these two storied programs. The Wildcats and Red Storm have split their two previous matchups. St. John's won in San Francisco during the 2019-20 season, while Arizona took the victory in the 2011-12 NIT Tip-Off tournament at the very same MSG—home of the New York Knicks. While technically a neutral-site game, St. John's plays most of its high-profile contests at MSG, which also hosts the Big East Conference Tournament, giving the Red Storm a familiar home-court advantage.

For Arizona, this game adds to an already loaded nonconference slate for the 2026-27 season. The Wildcats have at least seven nonconference games locked in, starting with a Nov. 2 opener against UCLA in Las Vegas. They'll also compete in the Maui Invitational during Thanksgiving week, host UConn at McKale Center as part of a home-and-home series, and travel to Auburn. Most of the remaining schedule slots are expected to be buy games in Tucson, but Arizona is also anticipated to play in Phoenix for the fourth straight year. Looking ahead, Rothstein reports that the Wildcats will host St. John's in Phoenix during the 2027-28 season, setting the stage for a budding rivalry.

For fans looking to rep their team in style, this is the perfect time to gear up. Whether you're cheering for the Wildcats in the desert or the Red Storm in the Garden, make sure you're game-day ready with the latest apparel from your favorite squad.