News and Notes: Bryce Hopkins Playing with Increased Patience, Jayden Pierre Finds His Footing, Butler Making a Move, Hoya Heartbreak, and much more
1. With Saturday’s victory over Rhode Island, Providence upped its record to 7-1 on the season. This marks the fifth time since the turn of the century that the Friars have been 7-1 through eight games.
Perhaps the most impressive start came in 2003, when PC beat Alabama at home, nationally ranked Illinois at Madison Square Garden, and Virginia on the road. The 2016 Friars opened 14-1, with a huge win over Arizona, while also notching victories over the likes of Illinois and a nationally ranked Butler group.
More recently, the 2022 team started 13-1, with wins at Wisconsin, on a neutral court against Northwestern, and at home versus Texas Tech.
The only real fraudulent 7-1 start came in 2011. Keno Davis’ group would eventually improve to 9-1, but wouldn’t play a high major opponent until game #11 of the season — an 88-86 loss to Boston College. Despite the 9-1 start, the team ended the season with a 15-17 mark.
2. A great sign from Providence’s 84-69 win over Rhode Island on Saturday? Bryce Hopkins slowing down and finishing at the rim after up fakes. Kim English highlighted Hopkins patience on two separate occasions in his postgame press conference. Here was the first time:
“He did a good job with his patience — his end-of-drive patience. We tell our guys all the time that Villanova won two national championships by simply playing off two feet when they didn’t have an advantage to score.”
Hopkins started the game 1-5 from the field, but ended 10-19 on his way to 24 points. He is now averaging 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, after a slow start to the year.
He shot 59% from the field over this three-game home stand, and 4-9 from beyond the 3-point arc.
Everything seemed to be rushed earlier in the year, but Hopkins looks to have found his pace of late.
3. Jayden Pierre’s return after missing a few weeks wasn’t without its bumps. The sophomore point guard had five turnovers in 22 minutes, and was shooting 1-5 at the halftime break.
His fortunes began to turn early in the second half when he knocked down a 3-pointer after URI had sliced a seven-point Friar lead to one.
His most encouraging sequence came mid-way through the second half when Pierre drew fouls on three consecutive possessions. He scored 10 points on 2-2 shooting from the field, and 5-5 at the free throw line in the second half.