Rick Pitino goes viral for awkward fight moment during St. John's win

Rick Pitino found himself at the center of a viral moment Saturday. All he could do is put his fists up as tempers boiled over in No. 17 St. John’s 79-69 win over Providence.

A fight erupted early in the second half after Friars forward Duncan Powell delivered a hard foul on Red Storm star Bryce Hopkins, sending him crashing to the floor.

Hopkins, who previously played three seasons at Providence, quickly popped up and confronted Powell, sparking a bench-clearing scrum that drifted toward the St. John’s sideline.

Pitino, who famously led Providence to the 1987 Final Four, stepped between players attempting to restore order. At one point, television cameras captured the Hall of Fame coach throwing his fists up amid the chaos. It was an image that quickly circulated across social media.

RICK PITINO GOT THEM FISTS UP 😭 pic.twitter.com/kRnJhS8aPd

Officials needed 19 minutes to sort through the aftermath. Six players were ejected: Powell and Jaylin Sellers for Providence, along with St. John’s Dillon Mitchell, Kelvin Odih, Ruben Prey and Sadiku Ibine Ayo. Notably, Hopkins remained in the game and was not assessed a foul after the confrontation.

During his postgame news conference, Pitino defended his team in the best way possible. “You’re not supposed to come off the bench,” Pitino said. “But you can’t let your players get beat up.”

The victory improved St. John’s to 20-5 overall and 13-1 in the Big East, extending its winning streak to 11 games.

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