PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University men's basketball program announces it will be playing Division I St. John's University in an exhibition contest on Sunday, Oct. 29. The game will be held at Carnesecca Arena on the campus of St. John's and will tip-off at 3:00pm.
"We are thrilled to have the opportunity to play St. John's in an exhibition game this coming season," said Setters head coach Matt Healing, who will enter his eighth year in 2023-24. "There is a lot of buzz in the college basketball world around St. John's, especially here in the New York City area."
During Healing's tenure as head coach, Pace has previously squared off against three other Division I foes. This includes contests against Villanova University (2015), University of Rhode Island (2018), and most recently a 79-60 defeat at the hands of Syracuse University at the Carrier Dome in 2021.
The Setters are coming off another historic season, making the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, which is a first in program history. Pace earned the #5 seed in the NCAA Tournament East Region and finished with an overall record of 20-11.
"We have a talented group of newcomers and returners that we are eager to mesh together from this experience, prior to the start of the regular season," said Healing. "Competing against a top level BIG EAST opponent will be a great challenge. We are looking forward to seeing some of our fans in Queens to support."
St John's is entering the first year under the direction of legendary head coach, Rick Pitino, who took the reigns in Queens following a stint in New Rochelle at Iona University. In his 35 seasons as a collegiate head coach, Pitino has won 834 games and National Championships at both Kentucky University and the University of Louisville. He will be taking over a Red Storm squad that finished last year with a record of 18-15 while falling to Marquette University in the second round of the BIG EAST Tournament in overtime, 72-70.
Stay tuned for the full release of the 2023-2024 men's basketball schedule.
