PROVIDENCE — To borrow from the late Yogi Berra and his seemingly endless supply of verbal wit, it’s getting late early for the Providence men.
The Friars enter their Big East home opener Friday night on the wrong side of the bubble when it comes to a nonconference NCAA Tournament resumé. Their last chance went by the boards last weekend at Mohegan Sun, as a slow start set the tone for a loss to St. Bonaventure.
It’s nothing but conference play beginning with this visit from St. John’s to Amica Mutual Pavilion, and the Red Storm are coming off a 28-point home blowout of DePaul. Providence needed overtime on the road to outlast those same Blue Demons, with Bensley Joseph and the defense leading the way late.
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“It was a new feeling, a new vibe, at DePaul last week,” Providence coach Kim English said on his most recent radio show, which airs on WPRO. “The most important game of our season.”
That could be the case every time out for the Friars between now and March. They can’t afford a stumble against a league that has largely underperformed through the first two months. Two-time national champion Connecticut, Marquette and St. John’s would be the only programs feeling comfortable if Selection Sunday were tomorrow.
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Rick Pitino won’t hesitate for a second to drive an early nail in his former school’s March coffin. His reverence for and remembrance of that magical 1987 run to the Final Four aside, Pitino didn’t build his Hall of Fame career by being sentimental. The Red Storm have their own intentions on returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, and a win on the road at Providence would be another step along the way.
“I feel like we’re getting better,” English said. “We’re still learning. Transfers, young guys — still learning how to uphold our standard.”
The Friars (7-5, 1-0 Big East) lost the battle on the glass and in the paint against the Bonnies, who built a 13-point lead early in the second half. St. Bonaventure held on for a 74-70 victory at Mohegan Sun, withstanding a late Providence run. Rich Barron and Wesley Cardet Jr. both rimmed out potential tying shots inside 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’s honestly a wasted effort. Whatever intensity or edge or fight we played with in the second period, that’s what it should be to start the game.”
Providence played without Bryce Hopkins (left knee irritation), who was set to be reevaluated earlier this week. English said an awkward landing during the win at DePaul caused some pain for Hopkins, who showed no structural damage during a following MRI. The Friars were 2-1 in games with him available after Hopkins missed the first eight while completing his long-term recovery from January surgery.
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“Health is really important,” English said. “Obviously the health of our group — that’s a little luck going into games, who’s available from each team. The commitment to our process that night. The commitment to our game plan that night.”
St. John’s (9-2, 1-0) will be without forward Brady Dunlap, who is set to undergo surgery on his left hand and miss up to six weeks. That could put him in jeopardy of still being sidelined when Providence visits the Red Storm at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1. St. John’s will lean on athletic wing RJ Luis, Seton Hall transfer guard Kadary Richmond and strong paint man Zuby Ejiofor, who is currently top 35 nationally in offensive rebound percentage and blocked shot percentage.
“We have to really come together,” Joseph said. “Toughen up. Each individual — me included. Be tough-minded and know what the mission is.”
On X: @BillKoch25
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence Friars basketball hosting Rick Pitino, St. John’s Red Storm
