Behind a game-tying shot from Ticket Gaines, and huge days from Devin Carter and Josh Oduro, Providence overcomes Butler in overtime
Just how improbable was the game-tying 3-pointer that Ticket Gaines hit to send Saturday’s thriller against Butler into overtime?
The Friars, who led 15-0 out of the gate, but had seen Butler take away all of the momentum in the second half, trailed 69-66 with nine seconds remaining on the clock. After a hot shooting first half, PC was just 2-11 from beyond the arc in the second, when they drew up a play for Gaines with everything on the line.
It wasn’t that Gaines made the shot that was so surprising (Gaines has hit ten 3-pointers in his first two Big East games), but where he hit it from.
The graduate transfer from George Mason is shooting 34% from distance on the season, but prior to yesterday’s game-tying shot he was 2-25 on 3-pointers from the wing (Gaines has done most of his damage from the left corner, where he has made 14 of his 24 threes on the season — and done so at a 70% clip).
Gaines had been 0-15 from the right wing, and 2-10 from the left before Jayden Pierre drove baseline, feigned as if he was looking for Devin Carter in the corner, and kicked out to Gaines for the shot that tied the game and shifted momentum back in Providence’s favor for good.
Behind a terrific extra session from Devin Carter, PC outscored Butler 16-6 in overtime, providing the Friar faithful with an early gift to wrap up 2023: an 85-75 victory that improved their record to 11-2 on the season and 2-0 in Big East play.
Let’s unpack this one.
Devin Carter Takes Over Late
Carter was terrific, once again, for the Friars on Saturday: 24 points, 8-15 shooting from the field, 4-9 from distance, 4-4 at the free throw line, and nine rebounds.
Carter didn’t score his first point until there was 1:24 on the clock in the first half, but he continued to make plays at the most opportune time (just as he had done against Marquette on Tuesday).
Coming out of halftime after Butler had cut a 15-point lead to two, Carter buried a three immediately out of the break. He gave PC the lead (46-45) on a tough turnaround, later found Garwey Dual on a lob, and then had a great steal in which he saved the ball from going out of bounds, and flung it behind his back to Hopkins (who was fouled and sent to the line) with just under 10 minutes go.
Carter tied the game at the 4:13 mark on a three late in the shot clock, gave the Friars the lead with a tip dunk with under two minutes to play in regulation, and scored 10 points (including two critical threes) with four boards in overtime.
Carter has been as impactful as any player in the Big East this season, with Saturday serving as the latest example. In PC’s two conference games Carter is averaging 23.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, while making 9-18 from beyond the arc.
“He’s a warrior, and he’s a really smart and tough basketball player,” Kim English said of Carter. “I’ve never coached anyone that’s more competitive as him, that plays hard at all times.”
English shared that the staff is always seeking ways to keep things competitive for Carter, “You have to find ways to make everything competitive with Devin. Even small challenges in games, small challenges in workouts. He’s an eleven out of ten competitor.”
On Carter’s final 3-pointer of overtime, English was in his ear telling him to let it rip. “He works on his game every single day. Why would we want him to do anything else but shoot open shots? We encourage all of our guys. They are going to play free. If they are going to make mistakes it’s going to be daring greatly. We’re not going to make mistakes playing unsure. I want our guys to be confident and aggressive.”
No One is Deriding the “George Mason Guys” Lately
Remember the Old Spice commercial in which Brian Urlacher asks “Who’s laughing now?” before responding, “Me.”
That could be Kim English after the first two games of Big East play. English made it abundantly in the offseason that he didn’t listen much to outside voices, but if he had he would have heard questions about how the core of a George Mason team that finished fifth in the A-10 could elevate a Big East school.
When English brought in Josh Oduro, Ticket Gaines, and Justyn Fernandez from Mason, and retained a Mason commit in Rich Barron, there were some rival fans questioning his ability to land players outside of those he coached, and Friar supporters who wondered if English underestimated the type of talent it takes to win in the Big East.
“The difference in levels in college basketball — the only thing that’s different about high major basketball and mid major basketball are the young NBA players,” English said. “Old guys in the Atlantic-10, old guys in Conference USA, they can play anywhere in the country. It’s the young NBA talent and the bigs that are usually the biggest difference between levels.”
Oduro has been a stabilizer from the beginning of the season, and a force at other times. On Saturday, the center was a force: 19 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks against the type of size (Jalen Thomas at 6’10, 240 and 7’1 Andre Screen) that concerned detractors. Oduro handled his business scoring in the paint, and continued to show his value as a passer.