By KEVIN McNAMARA
Anyone who attended Providence’s upset victory at St. John’s last month heard the rumblings, and strong booing, that came from corners of Madison Square Garden whenever Bryce Hopkins’ name was announced.
Just wait until this weekend.
Hopkins and his new team, the streaking Red Storm of St. John’s, will be at the Amica Mutual Pavilion Saturday afternoon. There is no love lost between some Providence fans and Hopkins after he was nursed through a major knee injury by PC’s medical staff over the previous two seasons but then spurned the Friars’ offer in favor of completing his collegiate career at a Big East rival. Hopkins played just three games for the Friars last season and chose to not return later in the season, and retain another year of eligibility, despite being in strong condition in February practices.
The thousands of Friar fans who attended PC’s 77-71 win at MSG booed Hopkins during the starting lineups and whenever the scoring forward went to the foul line. He should certainly expect more of the same at the AMP and Hopkins’ coach, Rick Pitino, said he understands both sides of the situation.
“I think Bryce is ready for it, certainly. Kadary (Richmond) went through it with Seton Hall. Anytime you change from a team in-conference you’re going to get it. That’s just something that every player should understand if he leaves a conference team,” Pitino told KevinMcSports. “Also the fans have to understand that this is a money game as well today.”
No one knows what Kim English and Providence offered Hopkins to return, but he clearly felt St. John’s offered a better deal. That includes financially and from a player development situation, which Hopkins has addressed earlier this season.
“If you go from the Mets to the Yankees, Yankees from the Mets you’re going to get it. It’s part of it. Bryce understands that,” Pitino added. “We’re not interested it that, nor do we care. It’s not going to effect how he plays. What takes place between the lines, booing or cheering, is not going to change the personnel, for better or worse.”
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Speaking to the New York media Thursday, Hopkins said there will “be a chip on my shoulder” and said his teammates will be supportive. “It means a lot just for them to have my back. We already know how the first game went. We aren’t looking at it as much as me vs them, it’s another game on our schedule where we are playing for something bigger than any personal narratives. We’re playing for a Big East championship,” he said.
Asked about the reception he may get, Hopkins reflected on the raucous welcome former coach Ed Cooley has received as the Georgetown coach. “I had a great relationship with him, it was sad to see how they treated him. Coach Cooley had a great time at Providence — they were probably mad he left,” Hopkins said.
Pitino is no stranger to the returning home scenario. After all he coached Kentucky to a national championship and moved to hated rival Louisville years later.
“I can’t speak for Bryce,” Pitino said, “all I do know is I got booed unmercifully when I was the Louisville coach going back to Rupp (Arena). You understand it, you take the boos and move on. It doesn’t make me feel good.”
