The final regular season game provided a clear and straightforward analogy. In the Big East, Connecticut is establishing a dominant standard. Ahead of the Huskies at Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence got out to a quick start before fading away in the last 16 minutes of the first half.
The Friars have made it clear that they want to compete for more than just conference titles. They need to catch up to that monster at the top of the conference, and after losing to Boston College 62-57 on Tuesday night in the NIT, the job has already begun.
After this day, this final game, college basketball used to kind of go through a low period, according to Providence coach Kim English. But the game is on. I’m looking forward to the upcoming season. Josh Oduro and Ticket Gaines are about to go. Devin Carter could as well; the league’s Player of the Year must choose whether to declare for the NBA Draft. The shooting guard is a fantastic example of character and player growth, thus his success should be one of English’s main recruitment pitches.
“If he does decide to go and he’s in the NBA, my advice to him would to be the most humble guy in the organization,” English said. “Come to work every day like you’re on a one-day contract. That would be a great mindset to have for about 12 years.”
What’s the plan for Bryce Hopkins?
Bryce Hopkins expects to return from the left knee injury that cost him the last 21 games. Anything close to his 2022-23 form would give Providence an immediate cornerstone piece. Hopkins struggled with his perimeter shooting prior to that fateful night against Seton Hall, but his production in terms of points and rebounds and his defensive presence couldn’t be reasonably replaced.
Hopkins’ next task is to imbue this team with his own identity. After English was given a technical foul against Creighton during the conference tournament, he remained a steady presence on the sidelines. Following a foul call halfway through the first half of Madison Square Garden’s 78-73 upset victory, English was on fire.
English claimed that Bryce was the one who helped her move on. Yo, please calm down, he urged. You are necessary to us. I was drawn to that; nobody else in our programme was. That’s what I told him. I told his parents that story. “His leadership potential is immense, and he has only begun to scratch the surface.” He seems extremely prepared to move forward, in my opinion.
Who else will be back for the Friars?
Friar fans have had the chance to see Jayden Pierre, Corey Floyd Jr., Rich Barron, Garwey Dual and Rafael Castro for extended stretches. The lesser-known group behind the scenes is one English looks forward to developing. That includes another long-term knee injury rehabber, a midyear transfer big man and a potential injury redshirt who played just nine minutes over three games.
“Justyn Fernandez, Anton Bonke, Eli DeLaurier — it’s on right now,” English said. “They’ve got two weeks. I’m really excited to reload this roster and get to work with them in the spring and summer.”
Providence figures to have the program and financial backing to be active in the transfer portal. The Friars will need immediate, veteran contributors to supplement their current potential returners — any departure by Carter would leave the roster without three of its top five scorers and three of its four leading rebounders. English ticked off a list of characteristics he’s seeking — toughness, humility, work ethic, selflessness, defensive will, shooting touch, winning DNA and “people who want to be Friars.”
“Every single person who touches this program is all-in on us,” English said. “It allows me just to coach basketball and build this team. That bleeds into the fans.
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