The sports world was taken by storm Saturday in Providence, when the St. John’s Red Storm and Providence Friars erupted into a fight that resulted in six ejections. To many, it looked like just another in-game altercation. But the backstory is what truly matters.
At the 14:25 mark of the second half, with Providence leading 40–39, Bryce Hopkins was on a fast break when Duncan Powell delivered a massive cheap shot as Hopkins went up for a layup. Hopkins’ history with Providence makes the moment make a lot more sense. He spent three seasons with the Friars. His first year was outstanding, averaging 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, and he posted nearly identical numbers in his second season before a torn ACL limited him to just 13 games. His final year was even more turbulent; he appeared in only three games amid rumors of reinjury and growing tension with head coach Kim English.
Reports suggested Providence paid Hopkins well north of $1 million in NIL money during the season in which he played 3 games, a figure that angered the fanbase. Then, on March 31, Hopkins announced he would transfer to in-conference rival St. John’s, throwing gasoline on an already burning fire.
Because of that history, few were shocked when the tensions finally boiled over. Still, Powell’s involvement was puzzling. He had no prior ties to Hopkins at Providence. This is Powell’s fourth school in five years and his first season with the Friars, making the cheap shot feel more symbolic of a struggling program with not much to play for. It also makes it easy to think Kim English was encouraging this type of behavior. It’s hard to believe Powell would go out of his way to escalate the situation without being told to do so.
The Red Storm are surging at the right time. Providence pushed hard to disrupt their momentum, but the Red Storm never cracked. Now riding an 11-game winning streak, St. John’s has seen its national championship odds on FanDuel jump dramatically from +10,000 to +4,500. I suggested buying low on January 23rd.
The moment also reflected where Providence basketball stands today. Once a program and fanbase focused on winning, frustration has replaced identity, clouding the judgment of everyone within the program. St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino captured that sentiment afterward: “Certainly, the crowd, I think, lost objectivity of what they’re here for. If they’re just here to poke fun at Bryce Hopkins and not get a win for the Friars, that’s not the Friars I remember in ’87.” Providence ultimately lost what felt like its “Super Bowl,” embarrassed itself on a national stage, and now sits in last place in the conference at 11-15. It will be appointment television if these teams happen to meet again in the Big East Tournament.
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