Providence of RI – RJ Luis Jr. was selected to a pair of national teams this week and played like a single player in Debert in the NCAA Tournament.
The 6-foot-7 junior, who was the Big East player of the week and the best player in the Big East Tournament, dominated the St. John's 83-53 blitz, the second seeded St. John's 83-53 in the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
He poured 22 points on a 14th of the fire, adding eight rebounds and two assists.
Most impressive, Lewis, unconscious from deep to the point of view, made five season-best 3-pointers.
As a team, St. John's continued to improve his year-end external shooting with a record of 14 for the NCAA Tournament program from distance on 37 attempts.
Do you want to match as many marching enthusiasms as possible? Both DirectV Stream and Hulu + Live TV are covered with all the channels you need and a free trial version.
“I didn't know we hit 14 3,” Lewis said afterwards. “We're not bad shooters. It's about moving the ball, opening up the look and shots and shooting with confidence. Undoubtedly, if you can keep shooting the 3, it's going to be pretty interesting.”
Lewis' three-point shot really came. Since January 11th, he has shot 41.1% beyond the arc.
St. John's Bench continues to have an impact.
The unit was essential when Johnny reached his first Big East Tournament title in 25 years and was produced again on Thursday night.
Check out the latest Big East rankings and cents. John's statistics
Davon Smith led the charges with eight points, six rebounds and three assists in one-sided victory.
Vince Iwuchukwu may have had the biggest basket of the game. This was a three-point play in the final seconds of the first half, giving St. John's a five-point edge at halftime.
From there the red storm took over. Overall, the bench scored 22 points.
On Thursday, St. John's coach Rick Pitino was named Henry Iva National Coach of the Year by the USBWA.
He was the second award-winning coach Johnny, joining the late Luca Renecca, who won it in 1983 and '85.
Pitino will be recognized at the annual USBWA Awards dinner held at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis on April 17th.
Former St. John's and Seton Whole Guard Dylan Adaeus were behind the Red Storm bench of the game. Addae-Wusu is very close to Kadary Richmond and Sadiku Ibine Ayo. …St. John's Booster and billionaire entrepreneur Mile Ple Pole were in attendance.
