St. John’s Basketball: From Struggles to Sweet 16
WASHINGTON – By Valentine’s Day, St. John’s University had already secured a 10-game winning streak, marking a shift from an earlier disappointing non-conference performance.
However, something clicked after that date. A newfound sense of unity emerged, particularly highlighted by a tough game against Providence, where a brawl erupted as Bryce Hopkins played against his former school.
“At that moment during the Providence game, everyone really felt for Bryce Hopkins,” Pitino reflected. “When he got tackled, they jumped in to defend him. It was clear; it struck a nerve with them. They genuinely care about one another.”
He added, “They formed a special bond that day, regardless of their different backgrounds.”
Since that emotional February 14th, St. John’s (30-6) has had only one setback—a significant loss to UConn—but they’ve triumphed in all other matches. They clinched the Big East regular season title outright and even took down Connecticut in the Big East tournament championship, winning at Madison Square Garden.
That Valentine’s Day wasn’t just another day for basketball. The atmosphere was charged. Providence fans chanted unkind words at Hopkins throughout the game. In a particularly rough moment, Friars forward Duncan Powell scored on a breakaway layup but ended up committing a questionable foul that could have injured Hopkins, igniting a skirmish that got six players ejected. St. John’s bounced back to win their next 11 games, while Powell received a three-game suspension.
Hopkins became a crucial player for the team, setting a St. John’s NCAA Tournament record with six 3-pointers in a second-round victory against Kansas. His teammates’ support, he believes, played a significant role in that success. “We really came together as a brotherhood,” he said, underscoring the team’s resilience during tough moments, especially in that critical game against Kansas.
This was a fresh team, featuring only Zuby Ejiofor as the returning starter. Building connections took time. Yet, that bond formed in Providence. An interesting tidbit—Hopkins recently shared his NIL contract benefits by gifting his teammates with JLab headphones, while Ejiofor reciprocated with custom “Iced Out” chains from GLD Jewelry.
Now, this squad is etched in memory, marking St. John’s return to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1999. Who knows where they’d be without that fight on Valentine’s Day?
“I believe the Providence game was pivotal for us to reach new heights,” Pitino remarked. “There was something special about how protective they were of Bryce, and it led us to some remarkable basketball.”
Ejiofor has also gained recognition, being named a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year award, joining Kansas State’s Flory Vidunga, Houston’s Joseph Tagler, and Florida’s Ruben Chiniel.
