PROVIDENCE – To borrow from the late Yogi Berra and his seemingly inexhaustible verbal wit, it comes early and late for the men of Providence.
The Friars enter their Big East home opener Friday night on the wrong side of the bubble when it comes to a non-conference NCAA Tournament resume. Their last chance was blown last weekend at Mohegan Sun, as a slow start set the tone for a loss to St. Bonaventure.
It’s nothing but conference play that begins with this St. John’s visit to Amica Mutual Pavilion, and the Red Storm are coming off a 28-point home win over DePaul. Providence needed overtime on the road to survive those same Blue Demons, with Bensley Joseph and the defense leading late.
More: Bryce Hopkins on the bench as PC basketball loses to St. Bonaventure. Here’s what happened.
“It was a new feeling, a new vibe at DePaul last week,” Providence coach Kim English said on his latest radio show, which aired on WPRO. “The most important match of our season.”
This could be the case with every release the brothers have between now and March. They can’t afford to stumble against a league that has significantly underperformed over the first two months. Connecticut, Marquette and two-time national champion St. John’s would be the only programs that would feel comfortable if Selection Sunday were held tomorrow.
More: Providence basketball will take the national stage this season. Here is the program of the Brothers.
Rick Pitino won’t hesitate for a second to drive a nail into March’s coffin at his old school. Aside from his respect and memory of that magical 1987 run to the Final Four, Pitino didn’t build his Hall of Fame career by being sentimental. The Red Storm have their own intentions of returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, and a road win at Providence would be another step on the path.
“I feel like we’re getting better,” English said. “We are still learning. Transfers, young guys – they’re still learning to meet our standards.
The Friars (7-5, 1-0 Big East) lost the battle on the glass and in the paint to the Bonnies, who took a 13-point lead early in the second half. St. Bonaventure held on for a 74-70 victory at Mohegan Sun, despite a late run from Providence. Rich Barron and Wesley Cardet Jr. both made potential game-tying shots in the final three minutes, but English focused on what happened early to put the Friars in such a desperate position.
“Don’t say hello when it’s time to say goodbye,” English said. “The effort in the second half – it was honestly wasted effort. No matter how intense, how competitive or how hard we played in the second half, that’s what it should be to start the game.
Providence played without Bryce Hopkins (left knee irritation), who was scheduled to be re-evaluated earlier this week. English said a rough landing in the win at DePaul caused some pain for Hopkins, who showed no structural damage in a subsequent MRI. The Friars were 2-1 in games with him available after Hopkins missed the first eight while completing his long-term recovery from surgery in January.
More: Here’s what Big East coaches think of the Providence men’s basketball team.
“Health is really important,” English said. “Obviously the health of our group – it’s a little bit of luck before the games, which is available in every team. The commitment to our process that evening. Commitment to our game plan that night.
St. John’s (9-2, 1-0) will be without forward Brady Dunlap, who is expected to undergo surgery on his left hand and miss up to six weeks. That could put him in danger of still being sidelined when Providence visits the Red Storm at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1. St. John’s will rely on athletic wing RJ Luis, Seton Hall transfer guard Kadary Richmond and strong painter Zuby Ejiofor, who is currently top-35 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage and shooting percentage blocked.
“We really need to come together,” Joseph said. “Harden yourself. Every individual – myself included. Be tough-minded and know what the mission is.
On X: @BillKoch25
This article was originally published in the Providence Journal: Providence Friars basketball welcomes Rick Pitino, St. John’s Red Storm
