Pitino Praises St. John's for Grit Despite Ejections in Win Over Providence

Red Storm head coach celebrates team's resilience after multiple players were ejected in heated matchup.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a heated matchup against Providence, the No. 17 St. John's Red Storm earned a 79-69 victory despite having three players ejected in a second-half brawl. Despite losing their entire frontcourt, head coach Rick Pitino praised his team's effort and ability to grind out the win against the Friars.

Why it matters

The win keeps St. John's in second place in the Big East standings, just behind UConn, as they look to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. Pitino's positive reaction to his team's resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to their growth and development under his leadership.

The details

A hard foul by Providence forward Duncan Powell on St. John's guard Bryce Hopkins sparked a brawl that led to the ejection of five players total, three from St. John's. Despite losing their entire frontcourt, the Red Storm managed to earn the victory, showcasing their depth and determination.

  • The brawl occurred early in the second half of Saturday's game.

The players

Rick Pitino

The 73-year-old head coach of the St. John's Red Storm, who praised his team's effort and resilience despite the multiple ejections.

Bryce Hopkins

The St. John's guard who was the target of the hard foul that sparked the brawl.

Duncan Powell

The Providence forward who committed the foul on Bryce Hopkins that led to the brawl.

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What they’re saying

“We play hard, obviously. [The officials] took away my whole front court, but on the other hand, they gotta protect guys from being punched too. Hard fought game. Proud of our guys. To come back with four guards, really special.”

— Rick Pitino, Head Coach, St. John's Red Storm (TNT Sports U.S.)

What’s next

The Red Storm have six games remaining on their regular-season schedule as they look to solidify their position in the Big East standings and secure an NCAA Tournament berth.

The takeaway

Pitino's positive reaction to his team's resilience in the face of adversity showcases the growth and development of the St. John's program under his leadership, as they continue to battle for a top spot in the competitive Big East conference.