Non Conference Report Card

Handing out grades through the first third of the season

As the Friars head into Big East play things are looking up. The team is 9-2 overall in Kim English’s first season and have the look of an NCAA Tournament team. Off the court a plethora of 4 and 5 star recruits in the class of 2025 are heavily considering the Friars. The good times continue to roll in Friartown, but it’s not all rosy. Providence went 1-2 in their marquee non-conference games this season, losing to Kansas State and getting blown off the court by Oklahoma after taking care of Wisconsin at home. Big East player of the year runner up Bryce Hopkins has struggled to find his form from previous season, and there remain significant questions about the depth of this roster behind Hopkins, Devin Carter and Josh Oduro. So, has the non-conference really been as successful as the 9-2 record would make you think? Let’s hand out some grades before the rough and tumble of Big East Play gets underway:

(Editor’s Note: Players had play 125 minutes through the first 11 games to qualify for the breakdown section, thus eliminating Rich Barron - even though he has kicked ass and been a a very pleasant surprise (116 min), Donovan Santoro (14 min), and Eli Delaurier (9 min))

Kim English: B

I think the head ball coach has had a nice start to his Providence career. He has a signature win under his belt (vs. Wisconsin) and has avoided any disastrous losses (which is more than most Big East teams can say at this point in the season). His ‘4 out’ offensive principles are clearly taking shape, and he has instilled a defensive tenacity on this roster that has the Friars defending their asses off on their way to a top 20 defense nationally.

English is drawing up an offense that is giving his players more than 10 unguarded spot up jump shots a game. His players are converting those looks at an almost laughably low rate, but the coach can’t draw up the plays and take the shots. I like what I’ve seen from an X’s and O’s perspective from Kim English so far. Yes, he scheduled an extremely soft non conference slate but it’s not clear to me how much of that was actually his doing. We’ll give him a pass on that.

Off the court it’s clear he has a special relationship with the players, and it’s extremely refreshing to have a coach take a ‘no excuses’ mindset to the post game podium. A bit different from the previous guy but I digress.

It’s early but so far so good with the Kim English hire. Of course, we’ll know much more once conference play rolls around.

Bryce Hopkins: C-

Much has been written about Hopkins and much will continue to be written about him. I’ll keep it short here, he had All American expectations heading into the season and has not lived up to them. He dominates against inferior competition which inflates his overall stats a bit…

…and struggles mightily against proper opponents. The following breakdown is all you need to know:

• vs. Kansas State, Wisconsin and Oklahoma: 12.6 points (30.7% FG, 8.3% 3PT, 76.4% FT), 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers per game

• Other 8 Games: 18.9 points (46.5% FG, 30.0% 3PT, 73.4% FT), 9.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 2.1 turnovers per game

Bryce Hopkins is not judged for his performances against Lehigh.

Devin Carter: A