Two teams looking to advance to 2-0 in Big East play will clash Friday night as Providence welcomes St. John’s to Rhode Island’s capital city.
Both the Friars (7-5, 1-0) and Red Storm (9-2, 1-0) earned conference-opening wins over DePaul, though Providence looks to bounce back from a 74-70 Saturday loss to St. Bonaventure in Uncasville, Conn.
Providence coach Kim English hopes to see a tougher effort from his team moving forward, though missing Bryce Hopkins (left knee irritation) hurt in the paint.
“I’ve got to really commit to those guys that play hard, play tough, play for us more,” English said. “Make no mistake about it, tough dudes still run the basketball world — tough pill to swallow as a coach.”
Wesley Cardet Jr. led the Friars with 13 points against the Bonnies. Ryan Mela and Rich Barron each scored nine points off the bench and Mela also grabbed five rebounds.
Hopkins was absent Saturday after recording a double-double against DePaul.
“Just wanted to give him some rest and make sure he’s OK,” English said. “We have a plan for Bryce and we’re sticking to that plan.”
St. John’s, meanwhile, shot 55.2 percent while holding DePaul to just six 3-pointers and forcing 14 steals and 20 turnovers in an 89-61 Tuesday win.
RJ Luis Jr. had a game-high 19 points for the Red Storm. But it was a strong defensive effort that impressed coach Rick Pitino, whose career includes taking Providence to the 1987 Final Four, and he must hope it will carry over.
“We were preparing as if it was the last game of the season and we had to win because of the way they shoot the ball. But our defense (Tuesday) was absolutely brilliant,” Pitino said. “(It) was our best game by far in so many different areas.”
The Red Storm also returned Deivon Smith from a one-game suspension, and he made a big mark with nine points, eight assists, six rebounds and five steals.
“I think we played great (Tuesday). I think we have the potential to be an outstanding team,” Pitino said. “Are we taking a quantum leap? We’ll see when we play Providence … for the first Big East road game in probably the toughest road environment in the Big East.”
–Field Level Media
