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Men's Basketball
vs Late Night Madness
TBA
Providence College Athletics
Saturday, December 23
Providence, R.I.
12:00 PM
Providence College
vs
Butler University
Men's Basketball Game Notes Vs. Butler
12/21/2023 5:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Friars will host Butler on Saturday at 12 p.m. on FS1.
Friars To Host Butler: Providence will continue BIG EAST play when it hosts Butler on Saturday, December 23 on FS1. The Friars lead the all-time series versus Butler, 18-5. PC has posted an 8-2 mark at home, a 7-3 mark at Butler and a 3-0 mark on neutral courts. In the first meeting ever between the two teams, the Friars defeated the Bulldogs, 65-56, on January 21, 2014 in Providence. Butler's first win in the series was a 68-64 victory in Providence on March 7, 2015. In the first meeting last season, the Friars earned a 72-52 win in Indianapolis on December 29, 2022. The last time the two teams met in Providence, the Friars defeated the Bulldogs, 79-58, on January 25, 2023.
Friar Tid Bits:
*The Friars are 10-0 this season when scoring 71 or more points.
*The Friars have made 10 threes in each of the last two games and are 4-0 this season when hitting 10 or more.
*The Friars rank first in the BIG EAST in scoring defense (63.0 ppg) and 23rd in the nation.
*At .379 (273-721), PC, which has the top field goal % defense in the BIG EAST, ranks 16th in the nation.
*PC finished 8-0 in non-conf. home games this season and has not lost a non-conf. home game since 2019.
*The Friars are 1-1 vs. ranked teams this season and 131-280 (.319) all-time.
*PC's 15-point win over No. 6 Marquette was the team's largest win over a top-10 team since defeating No. 8 Villanova, 83-68, on 1/26/11.
*The Friars rank first in the BIG EAST and 11th in the nation in blocked shots, averaging 5.9 bpg.
*Josh Oduro leads the Friars with 1.4 blocks per game.
*PC held Brown to 13 points in the first half which was the fewest an opponent scored in a half since 11/25/97.
*Bryce Hopkins is leading the Friars in scoring (16.7 ppg), rebounding (8.3 rpg) and dbl-dbls (four).
*Bryce Hopkins ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in scoring (16.7 ppg) and third in the league in rebounding (8.3 rpg)
*Bryce Hopkins has recorded 20+ points in four of the last seven games and has 13 career games with 20+ points.
*Bryce Hopkins recorded 26 pts/12 rbs for his 14th career double-double in PC's win over Sacred Heart on 12/16.
*Devin Carter leads the BIG EAST in defensive rebounds at 6.9 per game (76 total).
*Devin Carter (23rd) is the only player under 6-4 to be ranked in the top 35 in the nation in defensive rebounds.
*Devin Carter is second on the team in scoring (16.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg).
*Devin Carter had a career-high five blocks at Oklahoma on 12/5.
*Devin Carter grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds and scored 10 points in a win over Wagner on 11/28.
*Devin Carter scored a career-high five threes in a win versus Marquette on 12/19.
*Garwey Dual has had seven assists in each of the last two games and ranks third in the BIG EAST in assist/turnover ratio (2.83).
*Ticket Gaines made a career-high seven three pointers in a win over Wagner on 11/28.
*Josh Oduro ranks sixth in the BIG EAST in field goal percentage at .631 (65-103).
*Josh Oduro was 13-18 from the field and scored a season-best 29 points versus Lehigh on 11/24.
*PC shot a season best 24-41 (58.5%) versus Wisconsin on 11/14.
*The Friars have seven newcomers on the roster this season - two are grad students - Ticket Gaines and Josh Oduro.
*Bryce Hopkins was named to the 2023-24 Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team.
*Devin Carter earned 2023-24 Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention honors.
*The Friars are 45-3 in their last 48 games at the AMP and 627-238 (.724) all-time.
*PC is 104-5 in non-conference home games over last 14 seasons, including a 27-game unbeaten streak since 2019.
Friars Defeat No. 6/6 Marquette: The Friars defeated the No. 6/6 Marquette Golden Eagles, 72-57, on Tuesday, December 19 at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, R.I. Junior Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) led the way for the Friars with 22 points, finishing with a career-high five three-pointers. Graduate student Ticket Gaines (Buffalo, N.Y.) chipped in with 18 points on five three pointers. Head Coach Kim English earned his first BIG EAST win and first win as a head coach over a top-10 team.
Hopkins Leads The Team In Scoring And Rebounding: Junior Bryce Hopkins (Oak Park, Ill.) leads the Friars in scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.3 rpg). Hopkins ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in scoring and third in the league in rebounding. He has registered four double-doubles this season. Hopkins also has posted four games with 20 or more points.
Carter Leads The BIG EAST In Defensive Rebounds: Junior Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) leads the BIG EAST in defensive rebounds at 6.9 per game (76 def. reb.). On December 19, Carter scored 22 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had four assists in the Friars' win over No. 6/6 Marquette. He also made a career-best five three pointers in the victory. He ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in three-point field goals made (2.45, 27). In the Friars' win over Wagner on November 28, Carter recorded 10 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and tied his career-high with six assists. He followed that up with a 17-point, 11-rebound, two-assist, and two-steal effort in a win over Rhode Island on December 2. He has recorded three double-doubles this season. Carter is second on the team in scoring (16.1 ppg) and rebounding (7.8 rpg).
Dual Third In The BIG EAST In Assist/Turnover Ratio: Freshman Garwey Dual (Houston, Texas) ranks third in the BIG EAST in assist/turnover ratio (2.83, 34 assists/12 turnovers). Dual has registered seven assists in each of the last two games.  On December 16, he recorded seven assists in a win over Sacred Heart. On December 19, the freshman guard had seven assists and +25 rating in a victory over No. 6/6 Marquette. He posted a season-best 14 points and three steals in a win over Milwaukee on November 11. For the season, he is averaging 4.0 points and 3.1 assists per game.
Oduro Fifth In The BIG EAST In Field Goal Percentage: Graduate student Josh Oduro (Gainesville, Va.) ranks fifth in the BIG EAST in field goal percentage at .631 (65-103). He is third on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg). Oduro registered a season-high 29 points and seven rebounds on 13-18 shooting from the field in the Friars' 78--64 win over Lehigh on November 24. He recorded 10 points and nine rebounds in the Friars' most recent win versus Marquette on December 19.
Gaines Has Five Threes Versus Marquette: Graduate student Ticket Gaines (Buffalo, N.Y.) scored 18 points and was 5-10 from three-point territory in the Friars' win over No. 6/6 Marquette on December 19. He had a career-best seven threes in a win over Wagner on November 28.  Gaines is 19-57 (.333) from three-point territory this season. For his career, he is 98-283 (.346) from behind the arc. Gaines is averaging 8.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game this season. Â
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Friars Play Shorthanded Versus Sacred Heart: The Friars played without junior Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) and sophomore Corey Floyd (Franklin, N.J.) in the team's win over Sacred Heart on December 16. Carter was sidelined with a back injury and Floyd missed the game due to a leg injury. It marks the second time this season the Friars played without two of their top eight players. On November 19, the Friars defeated Georgia in Nassau, Bahamas with sophomore Jayden Pierre (Elizabeth, N.J.) and Garwey Dual (Houston, Texas) missing from the lineup. Pierre had a groin injury and Dual was suspended.
Pierre Returns Vs. Rhode Island: Sophomore Jayden Pierre (Elizabeth, N.J.) returned to his point guard duties in the Friars' win versus Rhode Island on December 2. The sophomore recorded 12 points, three assists and three rebounds in the win. Pierre had missed the previous three games with a leg injury. In nine games this season, he is averaging 8.1 points and 2.4 assists.
Carter Named To All-Tournament Team: Junior Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) helped the Friars to a 1-1 mark in two games at the Baha Mar Championship in Nassau, Bahamas. He posted his fourth career double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds versus SEC foe Georgia in a win in the consolation game on November 19. He had 17 points in an overtime loss to Big 12 opponent Kansas State on November 17.
Ryan Mela Signs A NLI To Attend PC: Providence College men's basketball Head Coach Kim English announced on Nov. 8 that student-athlete Ryan Mela of Natick, Mass., signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Providence College beginning in September of 2024. Mela, a 6-foot-6-inch, 205-pound forward attends The Newman School in Boston, Mass. In 2022-23, he averaged 19.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.3 steals for The Newman School. He followed that up with a productive summer with the Middlesex Magic on the Under Armour Circuit. Mela averaged 15.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.4 steals. His 15.1 points per game were tops on his Middlesex Magic squad as he helped the team capture the UAA Circuit Championship. Prior to transferring to The Newman School, Mela attended Natick High School. In his final season at Natick, he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game.
Hopkins and Carter Earn Preseason All-BIG EAST Honors: It was announced on Oct. 24 that juniors Bryce Hopkins (Oak Park, Ill.) and Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) each earned All-BIG EAST Preseason honors. Hopkins was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team and Carter earned Preseason All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention accolades. The two juniors helped the Friars post a 21-12 mark and advance to the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
Bryce Hopkins Earns Preseason All-America Honor: It was announced on October 18 that junior Bryce Hopkins (Oak Park, III.) was named to the CBS Sports Preseason All-America Third Team. It marks the second Preseason All-America honor for Hopkins as he was named Preseason Second Team All-America by College Hoops Today on October 17.
Newcomers: The Friars have seven newcomers on the team -- graduate students Ticket Gaines (Buffalo, N.Y.)Â and Josh Oduro (Gainesville, Va.), and sophomore Justyn Fernandez (Richmond, Va.), as well as, freshmen Garwey Dual (Houston, Texas), Rich Barron (Chicago, Ill.), Eli DeLaurier (Shipman, Va.), and Donovan Santoro (Los Angeles, Calif.).
How The Friars Got To The NCAA Tournament In 2023: The Friars made their 22nd appearance all-time in the NCAA Tournament in 2023. The Friars earned an at-large berth. They finished with a 21-12 mark overall (13-7/tied for 4th in BIG EAST). The team had a NET Ranking of 56 with Quad 1 wins over UConn (NET 8), Marquette (NET 12) and Creighton (NET 17). The Friars recorded a 15-2 mark at home, a 6-6 record on the road and a 0-4 mark in neutral site games.
Friars Defeated By No. 6 Seed Kentucky In First Round Of NCAA Tournament: The No. 11-seed Providence College men's basketball team (21-12, 13-7 BIG EAST) was defeated by the No. 6-seed Kentucky Wildcats (22-11, 12-6 SEC), 61-53, on Friday, Mar. 17 in the First Round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, N.C. Ed Croswell (Philadelphia, Pa.) led the way for the Friars with 16 points and five rebounds. Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) finished with 10 points.
Bryce Hopkins Named First Team All-BIG EAST: It was announced on March 5 that Bryce Hopkins (Oak Park, Ill.) was named First Team All-BIG EAST. Hopkins became the first Friar to earn All-BIG EAST First Team honors since Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil received the accolades in 2016. Hopkins, who was named BIG EAST Player of the Week twice in 2022-23, led the Friars in scoring (15.8 ppg), rebounding (8.5) and double-doubles (10). He was tied for sixth in scoring and he was second in rebounding amongst BIG EAST players in overall action. Hopkins also ranked third in the league in defensive rebounds (226, 6.8 rpg) and fourth in minutes played (34.9 mpg). In BIG EAST action, he finished third in scoring (16.7 ppg) and rebounding (8.6 rpg). He posted a team-best 10 double-doubles, including a 29-point, 23-rebound, three-steal effort in a double-overtime win over Marquette (103-98) on December 20. He played 47 of the 50 minutes in the game. Hopkins' 20-20 game was the 34th in program history and the first since Jamine Peterson accomplished the feat when he posted 29 points and 20 rebounds versus Rutgers on Jan. 9, 2010. It also was the first in BIG EAST play since Angel Delgado (21 pts, 20 rbs.) of Seton Hall did it on January 22, 2017. Hopkins, who is in his first season with Friars after transferring from Kentucky last spring, was named a mid-season candidate for the Naismith Award, the Karl Malone Award and the Oscar Robertson Award.
Devin Carter Named All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention: It was announced on March 5 that Devin Carter (Miami, Fla.) earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention accolades. Carter, who transferred to Providence in 2022 after spending his freshman season at South Carolina, ranked third on the team in scoring (13.0 ppg) and rebounding (4.9). He also was first on the team in steals (59), second on the team in assists (81, 2.4 apg) and second on the squad in blocks (34). Carter ranked fifth in the BIG EAST in steals (1.8 spg) and 10th in blocks (1.1 bpg). In league play, the sophomore guard was third amongst all BIG EAST players in assist to turnover ratio (2.3). Carter scored 20 or more points four times in 2022-23, including a career-high 25 points in a double overtime win over Creighton on February 14.
Friars All-Time Versus Top-25 Teams:Â The Friars have posted a 131-280 (.319) mark all-time versus top-25 teams, including a 1-1 mark this season.
Friars In Overtime: The Friars have recorded a 0-1 record in overtime games this season. They have recorded a 77-71 mark all-time in overtime games, including 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Friars At The Amica Mutual Pavilion: All-time, the Friars have recorded a 627-238 (.725) mark in 51 seasons of games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion. The AMP, formerly the Providence Civic Center and the Dunkin' Donuts Center, opened on November 3, 1972. The Friars had played their home games there for 48 consecutive seasons, prior to the 2020-21 season when the team played on campus at Alumni Hall with no fans in attendance due to the pandemic. PC posted a 15-2 mark at the AMP in 2022-23 and a 16-1 record in 2021-22 -- the team's best record at home since 1973-74.
Friars Are 104-5 In Non-Conference Home Over The Last 14 Years: The Friars have posted an 104-5 mark (.954) in their last 14 seasons in non-conference home games. The team's five losses over the last 14 years were to Brown (77-67) on December 8, 2014, Minnesota (86-74) on November 13, 2017, UMass (79-78) on December 7, 2018, Arkansas (84-72) on March 19, 2019 and Penn (81-75) on November 23, 2019. The Friars are 26-0 in their last 26 non-conference home games (2023-24, 8-0; 2022-23, 7-0; 2021-22, 8-0; 2020-21, 2-0; 2019-20, 2-0).
Providence College Basketball: The 2023-24 campaign marks the 97th season of basketball at Providence College. Since the program started in 1926-27, Providence has posted a 1,553-1,029 mark, good for a .600 winning percentage. The Friars have made the NCAA Tournament 22 times and the National Invitation Tournament on 20 occasions.
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