With Big Bro Looking On, Chris Smith Wins Big East Title
NEW YORK — It hasn’t been easy for Chris Smith growing up in the shadows of his older brother.
J.R. Smith was a McDonald’s All-American, a preps-to-pros wunderkind out of St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark and is now a shooting guard with the Knicks.
But on this special night, J.R. was the fan and Chris was a star when he scored 15 points to help Louisville win its second Big East tournament title in four years, 50-44, over Cincinnati at Madison Square Garden.
“To be in the Garden, a historic building, and my brother plays here, it’s the Big East championship,” Chris, a native of Millstone, N.J., said before embracing his brother on the court. “You know, for us to do this, it’s amazing.”
St. John’s freshman forward Moe Harkless is expected to decide within the next few weeks whether he will leave early for the NBA or return to campus for his sophomore season.
NEW YORK — Rick Pitino has been a forceful critic of schools exiting the Big East ever since the realignment tidal wave crashed upon the league last fall.
NEW YORK — J.R. Smith texted his younger brother late Friday night shortly after Louisville advanced to the Big East championship game against Cincinnati.
NEW YORK — Madison Square Garden was rocking Friday night with a mostly orange-clad crowd cheering on Syracuse in a virtual home game in the Big East Tournament semifinals.
NEW YORK — Now that Syracuse has been ousted from the Big East Tournament, the Orange are hoping history is on their side.