There hasn't been an 18 win (or less) At-Large Bid since 2008. Most years there are one or two 19 win At-Large Bids. I think this team needs at least 20 wins, and I would say that even that wouldn't be a lock with some of the bad losses and lack of quality road wins.
In 2009-2010 Virginia Tech was 23-8 (10-6), and didn't get in. What would you say if StJ finished with that record and didn't get in?
Va Tech had like an OOC SOS of like 300 something. They made their bed by not playing anyone multiple years under Seth.
I agree that their SOS was bad, even their RPI, but they were 3rd in the ACC, and the ACC teams that finished 4th -7th made the tourney including a 7-9 Georgia Tech. Considering their ACC record, and winning more games closer to March, I think they had a strong argument. They also beat every one of those non-conference foes with the exception of Temple who had a very good year 29-5 (14-2). To me just because that SOS was weak, that doesn't mean they didn't win when they were supposed to, and subsequently deserved to get into the tourney.
When you are on the bubble, the committee or "experts" can always throw in some factor as to why that team did or didn't get in. St John's hasn't really beaten anyone that is very good. Even ND and Cinci are not the cream of the Big East, even if they were ranked at the time. I think it is going to take a major run for St John's to get in the tourney.