Sports Illustrated has their annual college rankings out, and their quantitative projections and simulations don't like St. John's as much as some other outlets, such as the preseason rankings from KenPom.
The SI crew have the Johnnies finishing eighth with a 6-12 league record - three league wins below the top seven. This, despite predicting slight increases in per game point production from Shamorie Ponds and Marcus LoVett.
A blurb from the preview:
...On balance, this rotation isn’t sturdy enough to support the program’s first run to the NCAAs since head coach Chris Mullin took over prior to the 2015–16 season.