Big East Suspends Providence's Powell for 3 Games After Fight

Powell's flagrant foul sparked a brawl during a game against St. John's.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Big East Conference has suspended Providence forward Duncan Powell for three games after his flagrant foul sparked a fight during a game against St. John's. Powell already faced an automatic one-game ban for fighting by NCAA rules, and the conference added two more games to his suspension for his role in the altercation.

Why it matters

Suspensions and penalties for on-court fighting incidents are taken seriously by college basketball conferences to maintain sportsmanship and discipline among student-athletes. This suspension highlights the conference's commitment to upholding its code of conduct and protecting player safety.

The details

Powell's flagrant foul on St. John's player Bryce Hopkins, who previously played for Providence, led to a brawl that resulted in seven players being ejected from the game. The Big East determined that Powell "engaged in additional combative actions that constituted a fighting act" beyond the initial flagrant foul.

  • On February 15, 2026, Providence defeated St. John's 79-69.
  • On February 16, 2026, the Big East announced Powell's 3-game suspension.

The players

Duncan Powell

A forward for the Providence Friars men's basketball team.

Bryce Hopkins

A player for the St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team who previously played for Providence.

Steve Napolillo

The athletic director of Providence College.

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What they’re saying

“Providence College holds its student-athletes and coaches to the highest standards. We fully support the suspension that the Big East has issued to Duncan Powell. His actions were unacceptable and do not reflect the values, discipline, or sportsmanship expected of anyone representing Providence College.”

— Steve Napolillo, Athletic Director, Providence College (Associated Press)

What’s next

Powell will miss games against DePaul on February 18th, Xavier on February 24th, and Creighton on February 28th.

The takeaway

This suspension underscores the Big East's commitment to maintaining discipline and sportsmanship among its student-athletes. It serves as a warning that on-court altercations will be swiftly and firmly addressed to protect the integrity of the game.