For the duration of the 2023–24 season, the Providence Friars will be without one of the top players in the Big East.
Due to a torn ACL in his left knee, junior forward Bryce Hopkins, who was selected to the First Team All-Big East last season, will miss the rest of the season, the school announced on Thursday morning. Hopkins’ leg seemed to give out as he tried to lead a fast break early in the second half of Wednesday night’s game against Seton Hall, resulting in the injury. Hopkins was essentially left with no weight on his left leg for a number of minutes before he was lifted off the ground.
“In this trying time, we all feel sorry for Bryce and his family,” head coach Kim English stated in a statement. “We’ll be by his side every step of the way to ensure he recovers better than before. We kindly request that everyone in Friartown remember and pray for Bryce and his family.”
A team that had been in the AP Top 25 for the previous two weeks and had looked like a dark horse to win the Big East in English’s first season as head coach, Providence is devastated by Hopkins’ loss. After moving from Kentucky during the 2021–2022 season, Hopkins is one of the Big East’s most productive players, averaging over 15 points and eight rebounds per game for the second straight year.
Even though Devin Carter, a fellow transfer, has become a strong contender for All-America honours, the Friars are a different squad when Hopkins plays. According to Hoop Explorer, Providence is almost 18 points better per 100 possessions against top-100 opponents this season with Hopkins in the game than without him.
Following Hopkins’ departure from the game on Wednesday, Providence appeared stunned and ultimately lost to Seton Hall 61–57. In their last 50 home games, the Friars have only lost four times. The setback also occurs before Providence faces a challenging stretch of games, as the Friars will travel for four of their next five contests.
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