Big East Suspends Providence Player for Fight

Duncan Powell faces three-game suspension for role in brawl with St. John's

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Big East conference has suspended Providence senior forward Duncan Powell for two games, in addition to the automatic one-game suspension mandated by NCAA rules, for his role in an on-court fight that broke out between the Friars and St. John's during their game on Saturday.

Why it matters

Suspensions and fighting incidents in college basketball can have significant impacts on teams and their seasons, disrupting player availability, team chemistry, and public perception of the program.

The details

Powell took St. John's forward Bryce Hopkins out of the air with a hard foul, sparking a brawl between the two teams. Powell then threw a punch before he was one of six players - four from St. John's and two from Providence - ejected from the game. The incident resulted in a nearly 20-minute delay as officials reviewed the video and determined that Powell had engaged in additional combative actions beyond the initial flagrant foul.

  • The fight occurred during the Providence-St. John's game on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • The Big East announced Powell's two-game suspension on February 16, 2026.

The players

Duncan Powell

A senior forward for the Providence Friars basketball team.

Bryce Hopkins

A forward for the St. John's Red Storm basketball team.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for stronger sportsmanship and conflict resolution measures in college basketball, as well as the potential consequences players can face for fighting during games.