Posh Alexander wasn’t sure what kind of reception he would receive during his return to Queens.
After three years as St. John’s point guard, he came back as the opposition looking to beat the home team.
The Red Storm fans gave him a pleasant surprise, honoring Alexander with a loud ovation during pregame introductions.
“It felt good, just knowing that I still have love around here and just playing in Carnesecca for one last time,” Alexander said after he and Butler fell to his old team, 86-70, Tuesday night. “When they did the starting five and they all cheered for me, that’s love right there.”
Alexander started well, scoring 11 first-half points.
But he went scoreless after the break, and St. John’s pulled away for an easy victory.
Despite the loss, Alexander is having a strong senior season at Butler, rebounding from a shaky year last winter.
He has helped the Bulldogs get off to a strong start, winning 10 of their first 14 games.
At Butler, Alexander is surrounded by shooters, giving him the space to penetrate and create opportunities for his teammates.
He’s averaging 10.7 points, 5.2 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals this season.
When Mike Anderson was fired and Rick Pitino was hired last March, it wasn’t out of the question that Alexander would return.
Pitino was open to keeping him.
But both sides eventually agreed they would be better going their separate ways.
Alexander didn’t want to look back at what might have been.
“I didn’t have any bad intentions or bad blood. I just left because I wanted a change of scenery,” he said. “I wanted to take my talents to Butler. Rick Pitino is a great guy, great coach. … It was nothing personal.
“I just played the game like any other game.”
There weren’t many familiar faces on the St. John’s sidelines for Alexander.
Only two players from last year’s team, Joel Soriano and Drissa Traore, are still on the team, although assistant coach Van Macon remains.
At the horn, Alexander and Soriano shared a few friendly words.
He wished the star center his best.
“I’ll always have love for all the boys that were at St. John’s with me last year,” Alexander said. “I know Jordan [Dingle], I know a couple of people on the team. I got love for all of them. I just want to wish them nothing but the best going forward.”
Credit: Source link
