CINCINNATI — Manager Rick Pitino considered suspending Simeon Wilcher, who was seen attempting a dunk by Butler in the final seconds of Saturday's win.
Ultimately, after asking his team how they felt, Pitino decided against it.
Wilcher gave Pitino his best performance of the season.
The sophomore guard scored 15 points and added three assists off the bench in 28 minutes to help St. John's defeat Xavier 82-72 on Tuesday night at Cintas Center.
Pitino considered suspending Simeon Wilcher, who was seen attempting a dunk by Butler in the final seconds of Saturday's win.
“This means a lot, especially because I know what I did was unwise and not good for us at all,” Wilcher said. “It’s a really good thing my coach didn’t suspend me or anything like that. I just wanted to say publicly that I’m grateful and sorry for doing that. ”
When Pitino brought the matter to the team, Davon Smith was the most vocal advocate for not suspending Wilcher.
Earlier this year, Smith himself was suspended for his poor reaction to being benched in a loss to Georgia in the Bahamas.
At the end of the Butler game, it looked like Wiltcher was going to run out the clock on the dribble.
He then turned to the sideline and attempted a windmill jam, but was unsuccessful.
There were people behind the St. John's bench yelling for him to score.
“I can't give in to that. I told him why it's wrong,” Pitino said. “We talked about it, and it's no big deal. Young people are going to stay young. Sim” is a five-star person. Not 4 plus or 4. He's 5 out of 5. he just made a mistake. I can count how many thousands I have made so far. ”
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Perhaps most importantly, Wiltcher enjoyed a breakthrough offensive performance. He has been having a hard time lately. In his last three league games, Wilcher has made 5 of 33 field goals. He was much better against Xavier.
“For me, it was just having faith and trusting everyone around me,” Wilcher said. “They make sure I keep my head up no matter what play I make, and that's what they did tonight. I credit them.”
Freshman guard Jaden Glover is suffering a bone bruise in his right wrist, Pitino said.
He can do everything except shoot. Pitino isn't sure if Glover will be available for Saturday's game against Villanova.
