Providence gained’t go down with out a battle.
Less than one month after igniting a scuffle with St. John’s that resulted in six gamers being ejected, the ninth-seeded Friars will get one other swing on the top-seeded Red Storm in Thursday’s Big East Tournament quarterfinals after overcoming a 16-point deficit to defeat No. 8 seed Butler 91-81 in Wednesday’s first-round matchup at Madison Square Garden.
Providence (15-17, 7-13) is considered one of two Big East groups to beat St. John’s (25-6, 18-2) this season, and considered one of two groups to defeat the Red Storm in New York this season.
“I’m guessing that it’s gonna be a great atmosphere, probably the best atmosphere that I have ever felt in college basketball,” stated Providence standout Jaylin Sellers, who was ejected from the Feb. 14 battle in opposition to St. John’s. “I know they’re going to bring their best, and I’m going to make sure our guys bring ours. … They’re on the list, so we’ve got to take care of business to keep our season alive.”
The Friars drew first blood, beautiful St. John’s after preventing again from a double-digit deficit within the remaining eight minutes to steal a 77-71 win in entrance of 19,000-plus on the Garden on Jan. 3.
Then got here the Valentine’s Day fracas in Providence, the place Duncan Powell elevated the rivalry by bringing down former Friars star Bryce Hopkins with a clothesline to the face, prompting Hopkins to shove Powell, who additionally swung at St. John’s Dillon Mitchell and acquired a three-game suspension for “combative actions.” Providence’s Jamier Jones would even be ejected after committing a tough foul later within the sport in opposition to Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor.
When Powell kicked off the chaos, the Friars had been up one with 14:25 remaining. When the sport ended, St. John’s left with a 79-69 win.
“If it wasn’t for that misfortune in that Providence game, they could’ve swept us,” St. John’s coach Rick Pitino stated Wednesday. “They blew that sport by performing that way. They might’ve crushed us twice. So we’ve bought nice respect for Providence.
“Providence on any given night could beat anyone with their style … We know we’ve gotta be prepared.”
St. John’s held Providence underneath 40 % taking pictures from the sector in every assembly, however the Friars create issues with a fast-paced assault that ranks sixteenth in scoring (85.5 factors per sport). Five of the Red Storm’s six losses this season got here in opposition to groups averaging a minimum of 81 factors.
But Providence entered the Garden limping, shedding back-to-back video games after coach Kim English was reportedly knowledgeable that he would be fired at the conclusion of his third season.
Before what might be his remaining sport with the Friars — main a ten 1⁄2-point underdog and villain in a de facto highway sport — English forcefully downplayed the hype with phrases {that a} rowdy Garden crowd will ignore.
“There’s no beef,” English stated. “We played a game. A jump ball led to some guys in each other’s face. It’s a hard foul. There is no beef between us and St. John’s. We have a game in the greatest arena in the world and it’s one of the best coaches in the history of college basketball and the Big East Player of the Year. It’s a team we have a lot of respect for. That’s all it is.” Freshman Stefan Vaaks (28 factors) sealed the rematch along with his seventh and eighth 3s within the remaining minutes in opposition to Butler. A wholesome contingent of Friars followers adopted with chants of “We want the Johnnies.”
Get prepared for Round 3.
Ding, ding.
