St. John's Dominates Providence in Big East Rematch, Seton Hall Upsets Creighton
When Providence and St. John's clashed on the basketball court less than a month ago, it erupted into a benches-clearing brawl that saw six players ejected. The anticipation for a fiery rematch was palpable as the teams faced off again on Thursday at Madison Square Garden, the world's most famous boxing venue. However, instead of fists flying, Rick Pitino's top-seeded St. John's delivered a commanding performance, demolishing Providence 85-72 to end a challenging season for Friars coach Kim English.
A One-Sided Affair
The game was never close, with St. John's racing to a 21-point lead by halftime and never looking back. Providence struggled from the start, hitting only one basket in the opening eight-and-a-half minutes and being woefully out-rebounded 51-30. Stefan Vaaks led the Friars with 23 points and five rebounds, while Jaylin Sellers added 21 points and six rebounds, but the team combined for just four assists and committed 11 turnovers. After hitting 14 three-pointers against Butler the day before, Providence was held to only five triples in this contest.
St. John's was led by Big East Player of the Year Zuby Ejiofor, who posted a strong stat line of 21 points, ten rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. Bryce Hopkins, who transferred from Providence, dished out revenge with 14 points and 13 rebounds against his former team. The victory sends St. John's to its third consecutive Big East Tournament semifinal, where they will meet cross-Hudson River rivals, the Seton Hall Pirates.
English's Defiant Stance
Despite the loss, Kim English remained defiant in his post-game comments. "I don't want anyone's sympathy," he told reporters. "Like, I don't like anyone's pity. Like, don't text me nothing sad, 'I hope you're okay. Keep your head up' -- I'm not that guy. I'm like, kick me while I'm down. I'll get up." Rumors have swirled about English's future at Providence, but Pitino offered support, praising the young coach's abilities and predicting a long career for him.
Seton Hall's Remarkable Turnaround
In the other quarterfinal, Seton Hall continued its stunning season by upsetting Creighton 72-61. The Pirates, who finished last in the Big East just a year ago with a 7-25 record, have undergone a dramatic transformation under coach Shaheen Holloway, named Big East Coach of the Year. This offseason, the team built a stronger roster through increased donations and creative fundraising, such as selling items like 'Pirate Pesto,' which seemingly worked its magic.
Seton Hall reached 20 wins this season, was ranked in the AP top-25 at one point, and now advances to the Big East semifinals for the first time in five years. Budd Clark led the way with 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, while bench player Jacob Dar provided an unexpected boost with 16 points and five rebounds in 15 minutes of play.
Creighton's Disappointing Season
On the opposite bench, Creighton suffered a catastrophic down year after losing star player Ryan Kalkbrenner to the NBA. The Bluejays finished 15-16, a stark contrast to their second-place finish in the Big East last season. Their sloppiness proved costly, as they committed ten turnovers, leading to 15 points for Seton Hall, while the Pirates only surrendered three points off five turnovers. The Big East is experiencing one of its worst years in terms of team quality, with only three teams expected to make March Madness, adding to Creighton's woes.
As the tournament progresses, St. John's and Seton Hall prepare for a highly anticipated semifinal clash, showcasing the resilience and competitive spirit of Big East basketball.
