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After a solid 21-win season surmounting the season ending injury to star forward Bryce Hopkins, the start to Kim English’s second season at Providence has not gone very well. Losers of seven of their last nine games, English has been juggling lineups all season with junior guard Jayden Pierre being the only Friar who has started every game. In fact, since Bryce Hopkins’ return to the injured list, Providence has put out different starting lineups in four straight games.
Before jumping into the scouting report, it’s important to check in on Hopkins. It’s almost been a full year since his ACL injury and Hopkins made his season debut 12/3 against BYU, but he’s been out of the lineup after just three games. Following Providence’s matchup against Marquette, English said at the post-game: “[Hopkins] came down hard on his knee against DePaul, it swelled up. Everything structurally is fine, he’s just working to have less and less pain each day…We’ll see him when he feels good, healthy and strong. When he comes back, we’re not going to risk re-injuring his knee.” Reading between the lines, I’d be very surprised if Hopkins returns before Sunday. So far this season, Providence is 0-6 against KenPom Top-125 teams without Hopkins in the lineup, so this team is struggling without him.
In Hopkins’ absence, Providence’s backcourt has been the team’s more solid unit, led by the combo guard duo of junior Jayden Pierre and senior Miami transfer Bentley Joseph.
Stepping into the spotlight vacated by Devin Carter, Pierre is an all-around solid guard whose shooting efficiency numbers have been strong all season. A smart, composed scorer, PIerre does not force shots and he is capable of scoring from anywhere in the halfcourt, however, his slight frame makes him a more frequent perimeter threat than a penetrator. More of a scoring guard than a distributor, Pierre still struggles with his gaffs as a point guard, as Pierre has only nine more assists this season than turnovers. Solid defender.
A pass-first, defensive specialist for his career at Miami, Hopkins’ injury has forced Bentley Joseph to become more of a scorer at Providence, and this added responsibility has not negatively affected his efficiency. Like Pierre, Joseph is comfortable scoring from anywhere in the halfcourt and the thickly built bulldog of a defender can lock down for 94-feet.
Senior transfer Wesley Cardet has been an injection of offense after starring as Chicago State’s principal scorer the past two seasons at Chicago State. So far, Cardet’s three-point shooting success this season seems a bit flukey (33% entering this season, 43% this season), but with his combination of size and length, Cardet is a strong finisher at the rim and he does a nice job drawing fouls with his slashing ability. In Hopkins’ absence, Carder is forced to play more at the 4, but he lacks the physicality of Hopkins and Cardet is also one of Providence’s weakest defenders.
Off-ball, Providence returns thickly built guards/wings Corey Floyd and Rich Barron. According to KenPom.com, Corey Floyd ranks as Providence’s most efficient player on offense, rooted in his low turnover rate and strong 59 2P%. Not a strong perimeter scorer, Floyd does a good job utilizing his strength and footwork to outmuscle less physical 2s and 3s, and with career highs in fouls drawn per 40 and free throw rates, Floyd is demonstrating that, despite his low usage rate, he can be a load to guard within 15 feet and he’s also a very strong positional rebounder. Similar to last year, Barron is a low-usage spacer on offense but he’s been struggling with his three-point shot (31% vs 43% last season). With the worst defensive metrics on the team, Barron is very physical on defense, but his below-average footwork and athleticism makes him susceptible to getting in foul trouble (4.6 fouls charged per 40).
Like Barron last season, Ryan Mela is an unheralded freshman (#286 by 247, 20+ mid-major offers, but Providence is only high-major offer) who has quickly settled into a key role off the bench. The 6’6 Mela plays similarly to the types of recruits Ed Cooley liked to bring in: versatile on offense, can play multiple positions, and is active on the defensive end. Currently, he ranks as Providence’s most efficient defender.
With Hopkins out, the frontcourt has been an experiment of mixing and matching raw, young bigs with mostly 6’5-6’7 players listed above (Carder, Mela and even Barron in spells) getting minutes at the four with fifth-year transfer Jabri Abdur-Rahim surprisingly not able to make an impact yet after averaging 12.2 ppg last season with Georgia. Mostly a spacer at Georgia, JAR has hit only 28% of his threes so far and he also possesses the ability to slash and attack the rim. It’s hard to imagine him struggling throughout the entire season.
Another player who has been a surprising disappointment is Saint Joseph’s transfer, and former UConn target, Christ Essandoko. Playing in ten or less minutes in his previous three games, the 7’0 290 Essandoko did not play the last game due to an undisclosed injury. Despite his massive frame, Essandoko was a heavily recruited transfer thanks to the potential he shows in his skill and footwork.
Essandoko has taken a backseat to ‘25 reclass freshman Oswin Erhunmwunse and JUCO addition Anton Bonke. Finishing his high school career at PSA, Erhunmwunse was ranked the #40 prospect of ‘25 by 247 and is noted for his above-the-rim athleticism and defensive length, but he is incredibly raw on the offensive end. In contrast, the 7’2 270 Bonke is a raw low-post project after starting his athletic journey in rowing growing up in Vanuatu (I just googled it, never heard of it). Earning his first start against St. John’s, Bonke has averaged about 13 mpg over the last three, so he’ll be needed Sunday if Essandoko is out. Overall, the center rotation is arguably the least refined in the Big East.
Despite how the lineups will shake out, Providence runs a slow pace on both sides of the ball and are much better on defense than offense. Overall, Providence tries to win the three-point battle, currently in the top-20 in 3PA/FGA on offense (49.2%), and top-50 in 3PA/FGA on defense (34.4%), and they routinely lose the turnover battle (they give up 6% more turnovers than what they force), so there might be plenty of opportunity for UConn to run off transition. In addition to their three-point prevention, Providence also does a nice job forcing isolation offense and make life difficult for shooters (top-50 national ranks in A/FGM, 2P% and 3P% defense).
With a lack of star power, Providence will continue to struggle on the offensive end as they will look to win games with their defense, at least until Hopkins returns.
Before jumping into the scouting report, it’s important to check in on Hopkins. It’s almost been a full year since his ACL injury and Hopkins made his season debut 12/3 against BYU, but he’s been out of the lineup after just three games. Following Providence’s matchup against Marquette, English said at the post-game: “[Hopkins] came down hard on his knee against DePaul, it swelled up. Everything structurally is fine, he’s just working to have less and less pain each day…We’ll see him when he feels good, healthy and strong. When he comes back, we’re not going to risk re-injuring his knee.” Reading between the lines, I’d be very surprised if Hopkins returns before Sunday. So far this season, Providence is 0-6 against KenPom Top-125 teams without Hopkins in the lineup, so this team is struggling without him.
In Hopkins’ absence, Providence’s backcourt has been the team’s more solid unit, led by the combo guard duo of junior Jayden Pierre and senior Miami transfer Bentley Joseph.
Stepping into the spotlight vacated by Devin Carter, Pierre is an all-around solid guard whose shooting efficiency numbers have been strong all season. A smart, composed scorer, PIerre does not force shots and he is capable of scoring from anywhere in the halfcourt, however, his slight frame makes him a more frequent perimeter threat than a penetrator. More of a scoring guard than a distributor, Pierre still struggles with his gaffs as a point guard, as Pierre has only nine more assists this season than turnovers. Solid defender.
A pass-first, defensive specialist for his career at Miami, Hopkins’ injury has forced Bentley Joseph to become more of a scorer at Providence, and this added responsibility has not negatively affected his efficiency. Like Pierre, Joseph is comfortable scoring from anywhere in the halfcourt and the thickly built bulldog of a defender can lock down for 94-feet.
Senior transfer Wesley Cardet has been an injection of offense after starring as Chicago State’s principal scorer the past two seasons at Chicago State. So far, Cardet’s three-point shooting success this season seems a bit flukey (33% entering this season, 43% this season), but with his combination of size and length, Cardet is a strong finisher at the rim and he does a nice job drawing fouls with his slashing ability. In Hopkins’ absence, Carder is forced to play more at the 4, but he lacks the physicality of Hopkins and Cardet is also one of Providence’s weakest defenders.
Off-ball, Providence returns thickly built guards/wings Corey Floyd and Rich Barron. According to KenPom.com, Corey Floyd ranks as Providence’s most efficient player on offense, rooted in his low turnover rate and strong 59 2P%. Not a strong perimeter scorer, Floyd does a good job utilizing his strength and footwork to outmuscle less physical 2s and 3s, and with career highs in fouls drawn per 40 and free throw rates, Floyd is demonstrating that, despite his low usage rate, he can be a load to guard within 15 feet and he’s also a very strong positional rebounder. Similar to last year, Barron is a low-usage spacer on offense but he’s been struggling with his three-point shot (31% vs 43% last season). With the worst defensive metrics on the team, Barron is very physical on defense, but his below-average footwork and athleticism makes him susceptible to getting in foul trouble (4.6 fouls charged per 40).
Like Barron last season, Ryan Mela is an unheralded freshman (#286 by 247, 20+ mid-major offers, but Providence is only high-major offer) who has quickly settled into a key role off the bench. The 6’6 Mela plays similarly to the types of recruits Ed Cooley liked to bring in: versatile on offense, can play multiple positions, and is active on the defensive end. Currently, he ranks as Providence’s most efficient defender.
With Hopkins out, the frontcourt has been an experiment of mixing and matching raw, young bigs with mostly 6’5-6’7 players listed above (Carder, Mela and even Barron in spells) getting minutes at the four with fifth-year transfer Jabri Abdur-Rahim surprisingly not able to make an impact yet after averaging 12.2 ppg last season with Georgia. Mostly a spacer at Georgia, JAR has hit only 28% of his threes so far and he also possesses the ability to slash and attack the rim. It’s hard to imagine him struggling throughout the entire season.
Another player who has been a surprising disappointment is Saint Joseph’s transfer, and former UConn target, Christ Essandoko. Playing in ten or less minutes in his previous three games, the 7’0 290 Essandoko did not play the last game due to an undisclosed injury. Despite his massive frame, Essandoko was a heavily recruited transfer thanks to the potential he shows in his skill and footwork.
Essandoko has taken a backseat to ‘25 reclass freshman Oswin Erhunmwunse and JUCO addition Anton Bonke. Finishing his high school career at PSA, Erhunmwunse was ranked the #40 prospect of ‘25 by 247 and is noted for his above-the-rim athleticism and defensive length, but he is incredibly raw on the offensive end. In contrast, the 7’2 270 Bonke is a raw low-post project after starting his athletic journey in rowing growing up in Vanuatu (I just googled it, never heard of it). Earning his first start against St. John’s, Bonke has averaged about 13 mpg over the last three, so he’ll be needed Sunday if Essandoko is out. Overall, the center rotation is arguably the least refined in the Big East.
Despite how the lineups will shake out, Providence runs a slow pace on both sides of the ball and are much better on defense than offense. Overall, Providence tries to win the three-point battle, currently in the top-20 in 3PA/FGA on offense (49.2%), and top-50 in 3PA/FGA on defense (34.4%), and they routinely lose the turnover battle (they give up 6% more turnovers than what they force), so there might be plenty of opportunity for UConn to run off transition. In addition to their three-point prevention, Providence also does a nice job forcing isolation offense and make life difficult for shooters (top-50 national ranks in A/FGM, 2P% and 3P% defense).
With a lack of star power, Providence will continue to struggle on the offensive end as they will look to win games with their defense, at least until Hopkins returns.
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