NEWARK – The boos rained down on Kadary Richmond from the moment he took the Prudential Center court Saturday night. Since last spring, when Richmond transferred from Seton Hall to St. John’s for his postgraduate season – the first Pirate basketball player ever to switch to another Big East program – this game was circled on Hall fans’ calendar.

Rick Pitino was right. The extra spotlight Saturday didn’t bother Kadary Richmond, even as Seton Hall fans inside Prudential Center booed him every time he touched the ball against his former team. Signs from the Pirates student section taunted Richmond.

Kadary Richmond was booed during introductions. He was booed every time he touched the basketball. And in the end, Richmond went for 12 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds to help lead St. John’s to a 79-51 blowout victory over his former team in Prudential Center since transferring from Seton Hall last spring.