Facing ex-Friar Hopkins was extra incentive for PC's Jamier Jones
Bill KochNEW YORK – How different this Saturday afternoon would feel was apparent from the opening introductions.
Bryce Hopkins was booed noticeably in his new home building by visiting fans. Providence traditionally makes its presence known when playing on the road at St. John’s or at the Big East Tournament, and this particular occasion carried some additional venom.
Madison Square Garden was a hive of emotion that ultimately swayed toward the visitors. The Friars were strong down the stretch to post a 77-71 win over St. John’s, and Hopkins was the primary object of their scorn.
“Our guys answered the bell,” Providence coach Kim English said. “Obviously, they’re not lacking confidence.”
That answer in the postgame press conference came just a couple of minutes after Jamier Jones delivered a signature line. The freshman collected 15 points and a career-high 10 rebounds for a first college double-double in his second start. He outscored Hopkins by six, matched him on the glass and was a plus-10 compared with a minus-2.
“I took my matchup personal, and I feel like I did great,” Jones said. “I feel like I kept him off the boards.”
When asked a follow-up question about why Jones felt that way regarding his fellow small forward, the consensus top-50 prospect from Florida tasked partly with replacing a preseason all-Big East selection didn’t hold back.
“Him being here last year,” Jones said. “I feel like if he was here this year I should still play over him. That’s how I took that matchup.”
Hopkins played in just three games while Providence staggered to a 12-20 campaign last season, matching a program record for losses. He returned in exactly 11 months from major left knee injury, suffered a minor setback and opted to sit out with the Friars nowhere close to a potential NCAA Tournament berth. Providence tried to retain him before he entered the transfer portal and committed to the Red Storm.
It was a story that carried throughout the offseason and only gained steam when Hopkins jumped to a league rival. Friar fans felt doubly betrayed – that Hopkins still collected his sizeable paycheck for a minimal return last year and ultimately decided to suit up against them in 2025-26. St. John’s landing in the preseason top-10 of every major national poll didn’t make things any better.
The next chapter in this rivalry will play out on Valentine’s Day, and there will be no love in the air that night at Amica Mutual Pavilion. Providence avoided a 0-3 start in league play for the first time since 2012-13 and now has something to cling to in terms of building momentum. This week’s visit from Connecticut will feel more like an opportunity to spring another upset than a night to be doomed against a superior program.
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