Providence Friars vs St. John’s Red Storm Picks and Predictions December 20th 2024

Providence, St. John’s Aim for Strong Big East Starts

Providence and St. John’s will meet Friday night in a pivotal Big East showdown as both teams aim to improve to 2-0 in conference play. The Friars will host the Red Storm in Providence, Rhode Island, looking to rebound after a tough nonconference loss, while St. John’s enters on the heels of an emphatic win.

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Providence Seeks Bounce-Back Performance

The Friars (7-5, 1-0 Big East) are coming off a 74-70 loss to St. Bonaventure on Saturday, where a lack of toughness and missing star Bryce Hopkins due to left knee irritation left coach Kim English searching for answers. Hopkins had recorded a double-double in Providence’s Big East opener against DePaul but was sidelined in the setback to the Bonnies.

“I’ve got to really commit to those guys that play hard, play tough, play for us more,” English said. “Tough dudes still run the basketball world — tough pill to swallow as a coach.”

Wesley Cardet Jr. led Providence with 13 points against St. Bonaventure, while Ryan Mela and Rich Barron contributed nine points each off the bench. Mela also grabbed five rebounds, helping to offset the absence of Hopkins.

English remained cautious about Hopkins’ return, emphasizing a long-term approach. “We have a plan for Bryce and we’re sticking to that plan,” he said.

St. John’s Riding Momentum Into Road Test

The Red Storm (9-2, 1-0 Big East) dismantled DePaul 89-61 on Tuesday in their conference opener, showcasing dominance on both ends of the court. St. John’s shot 55.2 percent from the field, forced 20 turnovers, and limited DePaul to just six 3-pointers. RJ Luis Jr. led the way with 19 points, but it was the team’s defensive tenacity that had coach Rick Pitino raving.

“Our defense (Tuesday) was absolutely brilliant,” Pitino said. “(It) was our best game by far in so many different areas.”

St. John’s also welcomed back Deivon Smith from a one-game suspension. Smith stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, eight assists, six rebounds, and five steals, making an immediate impact.

Pitino, who famously guided Providence to the 1987 Final Four, knows the challenges of playing in one of the Big East’s toughest environments. “Are we taking a quantum leap? We’ll see when we play Providence,” he said. “It’s our first Big East road game in probably the toughest road environment in the Big East.”

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Key Factors for Both Teams

• Providence’s Toughness: The Friars need a physical response, especially if Hopkins remains limited. Contributions from role players like Cardet and Mela will be crucial.
• St. John’s Defense: The Red Storm’s ability to replicate their high-pressure defense from Tuesday’s win could disrupt the Friars’ rhythm.
• Hostile Environment: St. John’s faces its first true Big East road test, and how they handle the Friars’ crowd will be a storyline to watch.

High Stakes in the Big East

With both teams eager to establish themselves early in Big East play, Friday’s matchup promises intensity and intrigue. For Providence, it’s about proving their resilience. For St. John’s, it’s a chance to showcase their potential as a defensive powerhouse. The outcome could set the tone for both teams moving forward in a competitive conference race.