The Providence Crier

2023 Big East Media Day: Insights and Intel from the Friars & the Big East

It was an eventful day at Big East Media Day in the World’s Most Famous Arena. Val Ackerman made note this is the largest attendance seen at the Media Day since the realignment. With a Hall of Fame coach returning to the Big East, another program coming off a national championship, and a coach jumping to another school in conference, the storylines almost write themself.

The Crier and I were able to get into the mix and talk with players and coaches throughout the Big East. You learn a lot just by being present.

Video kicking off the day and showing the firepower of coaches currently in the Big East, with a nod to Kim English joining the gauntlet pic.twitter.com/CbIXyiIEYD
— BOC Friars (@BOCallday) October 24, 2023

You’ll be able to listen to the interviews we took part in on the podcast; however, I wanted to provide some additional notes on things that caught my attention throughout the day.

Big East Media Day with @ProvidenceCrier

What a world. pic.twitter.com/SfYX1xq9W9
— BOC Friars (@BOCallday) October 24, 2023

Insane Offseason Sets Up A Wild Upcoming Season in the Big East

The Connecticut Huskies had yet to even win their national championship and the wheels were in motion for a crazy offseason in the Big East. It started with Ed Cooley making the stunning move from Providence to Georgetown. Rick Pitino then landed at St. John’s and the Friars replaced Cooley with up-and-coming coach Kim English.

Crier Reactions From Mal Brown Scrimmage

The Crier made his way back to the AMP this weekend to catch PC’s Mal Brown scrimmage. It was great to be back even it was a few thousand below capacity to see the first glimpse of this season’s Friars. The team split into two with 5 guys playing for the Black and White teams with no subs. Team White featured Hopkins, Carter, Dual, Santoro, and DeLaurier, while Team Black had Pierre, Floyd, Gaines, Barron, and Castro. It was Team White taking the win 46-43, with them playing two 10-minute halves.

PC Conducts First Ever Pro Day

For the first time in Providence College basketball’s 97-year history they will conduct a Pro Day on campus on Thursday. The concept is a common practice in football but not so much in the hoops scene. There aren’t a ton of schools that host them but Kentucky held their annual one yesterday. According to Kim English on his radio show with John Rooke there would be representation from all 30 NBA franchises.

Decision Preview – 2024 Frontcourt Player Mitchell Holmes

Mitchell Holmes, the 2024 big from Texas, is deciding on the college of his choice this upcoming Friday. Providence is one of five schools in the mix alongside SMU, Rice, Auburn, and TCU. Holmes did take an official visit to Providence a few weeks back.

Providence has a massive need in the frontcourt for the 2024 season and beyond, which is why I’m shocked more recruits aren’t knocking down the door to come play for Kim English. Josh Oduro will be out of eligibility after this season, and the only true frontcourt players on the roster beyond this year are Rafael Castro and Eli DeLaurier. A 2024 big man recruit can step on campus and know he’ll be getting immediate playing time. It’s a nice selling point for Kim English, but it also makes me incredibly nervous heading into next season. I predict that English will land one college transfer big and one high school big in 2024.

Providence is in the mix with other 2024 big men, notably Luke Bamgboye and recently Amdy Ndiaye. It may be a “first come, first serve” with these 2024 bigs, but I honestly wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in two big men in the 2024 class on top of a college transfer. The cupboard needs to be restocked.

Below, we analyze the game of Holmes and discuss how he’d fit within the Friar program.

https://x.com/247HSHoops/status/1711805528215580759?s=20

Providence Crier Player Preview Series- Can Bryce Hopkins Take Home Big East POY?

On the August 30th episode of the Providence Crier Podcast BOC & The Crier drafted PC’s roster for our player preview series. We take a look at each player and what fans may expect this upcoming season.

This past season probably didn’t have the ending Bryce Hopkins was hoping for. After transferring from Kentucky to Providence last year and earning first team All-Big East honors, the season came to an end with a disappointing 53-61 defeat at the hands of the same Wildcats. Bryce himself didn’t have his best game, scoring only 7 points (2/9), grabbing 8 rebounds, and committing 4 turnovers. However, one game doesn’t define the special season Hopkins had in his first year at PC.

Providence Crier Player Preview: Devin Carter – Most Under Appreciated Player in the Big East?

Everybody who follows me knows how much I believe in Devin Carter. There were many times last year where I made the proclamation that Devin Carter was the most important player to the successes and failures of the Providence Friars. While Bryce Hopkins received most of the accolades nationally (deservedly so), I thought Carter was the straw that stirred the drink for the Friars. His non-stop motor and routinely locking down the opposition’s best player made him a fan favorite in Friartown. He has a grit and toughness that permeates from him that you need from a leader. At year’s end last year, Carter received Honorable Mention All-Big East recognition last year, and I don’t think it is too far fetched to see him become a First Team All-Big East player this upcoming year.

The Providence Crier Player Preview: Josh Oduro – Ancoring the Frontcourt

Besides Bryce Hopkins, I don’t know if there is a more important player on this Providence roster than George Mason transfer Josh Oduro. As we’ve detailed a multitude of times, the frontcourt is razor thin. It is why Josh Oduro was such a pivotal recruiting win for Kim English.

I believe Oduro’s impact to the Friars this upcoming year is somewhat overlooked (I’ll admit – I’m guilty of this) because we just presumed Oduro would follow English from George Mason to Providence. While this assumption ended up being correct, it overshadows what Providence landed in Josh Oduro – a grad transfer center that was two time First Team All-A10. If Oduro wanted to go elsewhere, the list of suitors for Josh would have been a “who’s who” of college basketball. Any blue blood would welcome a two time all conference player who averaged 16 and 8 the prior year. Thus, it may be time for some Friar fans (*darts hand up immediately*) to reassess just how important Josh Oduro is to this season. The list of A-10 to Big East transfers who have had immediate success is a good sign for Josh Oduro and Providence.

Transfer Portal Spotlight – George Mason Forward Josh Oduro

Providence Crier Player Preview Series: Is Ticket Gaines the Friars Glue Guy?

Ticket Gaines has been closely associated with Kim English throughout his entire college basketball career. In April 2019, Kim English became an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee, replacing Rob Lanier, who had initially recruited Gaines to Knoxville. However, after two seasons at Tennessee, Gaines decided to transfer likely due to a decrease in playing time from his freshman to sophomore year. He followed Kim English to George Mason, where English took on his first head coaching role. Now, with English as the head coach at Providence College, Gaines has once again chosen to join him, much to the delight of Friar fans.

Providence Crier Player Preview Series: Could Garwey Dual Be One-and-Done?

Garwey Dual committed to Providence back in June of 2022 before his stock skyrocketed, and he became one of the top prospects in the 2023 class. Despite not signing in the spring period, he remained committed until our former coach left town, which prompted him to reopen his commitment. Recognizing Dual’s unique talent, Kim English and his staff knew they had to do whatever it took to get him to recommit to the Friars. That he did, and Providence has a unicorn freshman on its roster.