St. John's HC Rick Pitino responds to Providence fans after wild fight

St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino had a lot to say about what transpired during his team’s game on Saturday against the Providence Friars at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.

The game got a lot of attention for the wrong reasons, with a fight erupting in the second half following a dangerous foul by Friars senior Duncan Powell on former Providence star and Red Storm senior forward Bryce Hopkins. The situation nearly devolved into an all-out brawl, but players, officials and even police were able to contain it before things got worse.

After the game, the 73-year-old Pitino came to Hopkins’ defense against Providence fans.

“I think the crowd lost objectivity of what they’re here for,” Pitino said following the contest, via Adam Zagoria of NJ.com. “If they’re just here to poke fun at Bryce Hopkins and not get a win for the Friars, that’s not the Friars I remember in [1987].

“I think you’ve got to try to win. We’re really excited to get a W, because we were without a lot of players. I’m proud of our guys.”

Pitino has seen a lot during his legendary college coaching career, and that now includes the wild scene against Providence.

A total of six players were tossed from the game as a result of that ugly moment, as the action was paused for nearly 20 minutes. 

When it was all said and done in the contest, it was Pitino’s Red Storm who came away with a win to the tune of a 79-69 score. It was St. John’s 11th straight victory, with junior guard Dylan Darling pacing the team, coming off the bench and firing 23 points.