Friar Basketball Newsletter: Bryce Hopkins and Josh Oduro Shine, Providence Readies for Wagner and URI, Another Top Recruit Visits Friartown
All things considered, Providence is in a great spot through six games this season. Behind a top-30 defense, the Friars have won five of their first six games of the season, most recently taking out Lehigh behind dominant performances by Bryce Hopkins (25 points, 14 rebounds) and Josh Oduro (29 points, 7 boards).
Playing without point guard Jayden Pierre (sidelined with a groin injury), Hopkins was at his most assertive, while Lehigh had no answers for Oduro on the interior.
The Friars host a pair of games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion this week before heading out to play an Oklahoma team that should find itself in Monday’s AP Top 25. PC and the Sooners will meet on Dec. 5.
Before then, the Friars will have to take care of business against Wagner on Tuesday night (7pm tip) before hosting Rhode Island on Saturday (7:30pm).
This week at Friar Basketball we have a number of articles, including a look at the Lehigh win and the impact Jayden Pierre was having on both ends of the floor in the early going this year.
From the article:
The loss of Pierre is far more significant than those who don’t watch Providence closely may assume. He was shooting the ball terrifically: 14-24 from the field and 7-12 from three. Pierre provided a steady hand for a group whose only other natural point guard is a true freshman that is a handful of games into his career.
Down Pierre, the Friars take a hit on both ends of the floor. Opponents were shooting a meager 4-27 from the field against him prior to the injury (14.8% shooting).
Billy Ricci shared his thoughts on what’s ahead for Providence, including notes on Wagner, URI, and Oklahoma.
Our News and Notes column this week includes information on Efeosa Oliogu, a 6’5 scoring guard out of Canada who visited Providence over the weekend. Oliogu was on the Under Armour Association circuit this summer, and put up big-time numbers. He now plays for Overtime Elite.
This column also includes a look into Hopkins’ shooting numbers this season, Providence’s terrific defense to date, and much more.
You will also find highlights of the great performances of Hopkins and Oduro from Friday night.
As always, thank you for reading Friar Basketball!
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