This is a game the Friars should not have won. Providence went 59% from the charity stripe and seemed stuck in mud offensively for most of the second half. To layer on top of that was a tough offensive showing for Bryce Hopkins, who continues to struggle to find his footing in the Kim English offense. Bryce went 5-14 from the floor, 0-5 from 3, and 2-7 from the charity stripe.
Despite all that, it was a game saving three pointer at the end of regulation by Ticket Gaines to send the game into overtime. From there, it was the Devin Carter show, who finished with 24 points and buried a few three pointers in extra time to put the game out of reach for the 10-3 Butler Bulldogs.
This is a game that you breathe a sigh of relief postgame. The silver lining in all of this is despite the subpar showing, the Friars came out victorious. They are 2-0 in the Big East, 11-2 on the season, and will almost certainly be a Top 25 team in the next AP poll. Good teams find a way to win when things aren’t going right.
Below, we recap the game and what we want to see moving forward from the Friars.
Revisiting Keys to Game
Contain Jahmyl Telfort – Telfort had a rough outing, going 4-16 from the floor. Despite the offensive struggles of Bryce Hopkins, he and Carter did a fantastic job of walling up against Telfort. Telfort is a big, physical body that will be a match-up nightmare for smaller guards/lighter wings. Unfortunately for him, Providence’s wings, inclusive of Gaines, are put together physically and can match that physicality. It reiterates why Providence is such a tough assignment when you are on offense.
Front Court Advantage – Gaines being scorching hot from 3 and Carter winning the game in overtime overshadows just how impressive Josh Oduro was in this one. I’m willing to draw a line in the sand in that I’ll put Oduro up against any big in the Big East. While he may not be a 7 footer, he makes up for it with his incredible footwork. He took the Butler bigs to school today with a multitude of post moves and up and unders. Oduro went for 19, 14 rebounds, and 6 assists. It was one of the more impressive showings of the season by the transfer big. He probably doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, but he strikes me as a guy who doesn’t particularly care about that. The Friars are lucky to have Mr. Oduro.
I hope a certain 2025 big man recruit noticed how productive Josh was and how often the offense flowed through the center. Just saying…
The other part of the frontcourt we spoke to was Bryce Hopkins. Bryce continues to have an up and down season. Hopkins was able to get to the rim early and produce, but went away from that and struggled immensely from the perimeter. After missing a few open looks, his confidence seemed to wane. It is getting to the point where teams are sagging off of him and daring him to shoot. The struggles then carried over to the free throw line. It was a tough performance for the All-Conference player, and I think Butler showed the rest of the Big East how to play Hopkins defensively.
Coach Kim English needs to adjust the offense because Hopkins on the perimeter was part of the reason Butler almost got the win today. The offense is stagnant with Bryce operating on the outside, as it is essentially 4 on 5 with Bryce not a threat from the perimeter. English needs to draw up post looks for him until Hopkins finds his stroke. As much as Hopkins needs to produce, it is on the coaches to draw up offensive sets that set up their players for success. I thought the staff missed the mark on that front today.
While it’s easy to focus on the offensive struggles of Hopkins, he continues to be an absolute beast on the glass, finishing with 13 boards. He has also dramatically improved his defense, which is part of the reason why Providence is so elite defensively.
In short, Providence fans need to continue to be patient. Hopkins is too good of a player for these offensive struggles to persist. In the interim, English and Staff need to do a better job of setting up Bryce for offensive success.
Raining Threes – Providence was efficient from deep, averaging 36% on 33 attempts. Carter and Gaines continue to be marvelous in Big East play, combining to go 9-21 from the three point line today. Last game, they were 10-19. It’s getting to the point where you expect every deep ball to go in for these two. Pierre bounced back, going 2-4 from deep.
If Providence can shoot above 35% from deep, I like their chances of winning that game every time.
Other Items of Relevance
Devin Carter Continues to Shine – If there was any question about whose team this Providence squad belongs to, those questions no longer remain after today. Devin Carter is the heart and soul of this Friar team and continues to show up when it matters most. Devin Carter took the game into his hands in overtime and willed the Friars to a victory. Carter is First Team All-Conference, Big East DPOY frontrunner, and darkhorse All-American. You cannot convince me otherwise.
Taking Care of the Basketball – Finally! – Providence was incredible with the rock, putting up 17 assists to only 7 turnovers. Pierre tied for the team high in assists with 6. Just as Providence fans need to be patient with Hopkins, they also need to give Dual and Pierre time to develop into true guards. The flashes are there (Gaines gets the credit, but that assist by Pierre at the end of regulation was a great find). Today was a great step in that direction.
Providence Defense Continues to Show Out – This Butler team is excellent offensively. Butler averages 84 points a game, and Providence held them to 75 points even with an extra five minutes of play. Butler only shot 39% from the floor all game. This defense carries.
Next up for the Friars is a game Wednesday, January 3rd against the Pirates at home. Providence can sit back and relax over the holidays with a Top 25 ranking atop the Big East. Life is GOOD as a Providence Friar.
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