2 weeks Ago By By BRENDAN McGAIR / [email protected]
PROVIDENCE – It is time to worry about the Providence Friars? Kim English’s team won’t take the floor for real for another nine days, though the red flags were flying during Saturday’s charity exhibition game against UMass. The most obvious absence is All-Big East forward Bryce Hopkins, who continues to impress his coach on his comeback from ACL surgery. “Bryce looks good.
He had a good workout [Saturday]. He’s in a good spot with respect to confidence in his game. He did a pre-practice workout, a post-practice workout and warmed up before the game,” said English after the shorthanded Friars clipped the Minutemen, 63-54.
“Hopefully everyone else should be back,” said English. The problem is that Hopkins isn’t the lonely PC player on the mend. Jayden Pierre (groin), Christ Essandoko (hand) and Richard Barron (shoulder) all watched Saturday’s action from the bench.
Jabri Abdur-Rahim didn't take the court against an Atlantic 10 school, though his reasoning cuts much deeper. His uncle Amir passed away earlier this week with English beginning his postgame address with a tribute to the 43-year-old who was coaching at South Florida. “We’re wrapping our arms around Jabri,” said English.
“It was devastating to hear the news the other day.” Asked if the Friars need to prepare for the likelihood of having a short-handed roster for the Nov. 4th opener against Central Connecticut, English painted a picture that suggests everyone except Hopkins will be able to answer the bell.
“Hopefully everyone else should be back for opening night,” said English. All of the injured players along with the announced crowd of 4,786 watched as English put players who are either fighting for spots at the end of the rotation or looking to break into it state their case regarding why they should be viewed as key pieces to the cause. Per an agreement with UMass head coach Frank Martin, the teams played two 15-minute halves, a decision that mainly stemmed from PC’s walking wounded.
With any exhibition game, there are positives and negatives to chew on and digest. With no Pierre, Bensley Joseph showed he’s more than capable of operating at point guard. The Miami transfer finished with 13 points and eight assists and also proved to be a pest on the defensive end, collecting four steals.
“Just doing what I came here to ...
get guys open and bring leadership and defensive intensity,” said Joseph. “There were some ups and downs but I thought we played with good pace. Controlling the game and running the show is what I’m here to do.
” Corey Floyd Jr. led the Friars with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. His three-pointer with 3:57 remaining helped push PC’s lead back to double digits as the Minutemen never truly threatened the rest of the way.
“Just keeping it simple ...
taking the open shots when they come to me and know when to be aggressive and attack,” said Floyd. Combined, Friar big men Oswin Erhunwunse and Anton Bonke went for 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting. To English, the fact that both young players are sponges serves them well.
“There’s no limit on what they can do. Both are incredibly coachable,” said English. Fresh off his shooting display at Late Night Madness, preferred walk-on Nilavan Daniels was out there during the second half and wasn’t afraid to mix it up.
True freshman Ryan Mela served as the first option off the bench – he recently returned to practice after missing time due to injury. To English, it’s clear that the main issue that hindered last year’s PC team – a lack of depth – won’t be a hindrance this time around. “We will have great depth.
That was the thought process building this team,” said English, “but some guys are getting more reps and more opportunities because of the guys who are out. What we expect from our players is a standard that transcends class and whatever you think your status on the team is.” On a pair of down notes, PC surrendered 17 offensive rebounds and shot just 5-of-22 from 3-point range.
Follow Brendan McGair on X, formerly Twitter, @BWMcGair03.
