NEW YORK — Providence College has some climbing to do and could use a couple of players to emerge if Wednesday’s men’s basketball predictions are to be believed.
The Friars were picked sixth in the Big East preseason poll, which was released at Madison Square Garden. Bryce Hopkins was selected to the all-conference first team, a hopeful conclusion for a veteran still working his way back from a major left knee injury.
The real choosing will be done on the floor here some five months from now at the league tournament. Providence battled to last year’s semifinals despite being shorthanded and eventually reached the NIT. League favorite Connecticut returns as the two-time national champion, and the Huskies received the maximum 10 first-place votes.
“We want to win every game,” Providence coach Kim English said. “We want to play well every game. We respect all of our opponents, but we’ll be good.”
Providence Friars forward Bryce Hopkins, shown in action last season against Butler, has been selected to the All-Big East preseason first team, it was announced on Wednesday.
Hopkins played in just 14 games as a junior, averaging 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds before going down against Seton Hall. He’s been ruled out for at least the Nov. 4 opener against Central Connecticut State but remains among the expected elite here. Creighton center Ryan Kalkbrenner was named preseason Player of the Year and Hopkins was joined on the first team by Alex Karaban (UConn), Kam Jones (Marquette), Kadary Richmond (St. John’s) and Eric Dixon (Villanova).
“I can’t think about that too much because I need to get back on the court first,” Hopkins said. “But I just take it as I’m blessed — very blessed. I appreciate everything.”
Creighton and Xavier followed the Huskies, who also placed Saint Mary’s transfer Aidan Mahaney on the third team. Marquette received a lone first-place vote and slotted in fourth. St. John’s and former Friars coach Rick Pitino were picked fifth, with Richmond expected to lead them after a transfer from Seton Hall.
“If you’re at the top of this league, you’ll have a chance to be in the conversation at the end of the season,” English said. “That’s great as a barometer.”
Villanova, Butler, Georgetown, the Pirates and DePaul followed Providence in the bottom half. The Friars will be looking for players to emerge alongside Hopkins and be thought of as elite options in the league. Jayden Pierre showed improved scoring touch down the stretch as a sophomore while Chicago State transfer Wesley Cardet Jr. hit for 18.7 points per game in 2023-24.
“It’s going out there and trusting the work that I put in,” Pierre said. “I know the system. I know our staff trusts me to run their stuff. My teammates believe in me.”
Friar guard Jayden Pierre going up against Eagle defenders Devin McGlockton and Armani Mighty in the first half of their round one NIT game at the AMP Tuesday evening. Pierre scored 21 for the Friars.
Providence finished seventh last year after a 10-10 trip through the home-and-home league schedule. The Friars took care of Georgetown before knocking off Creighton to make a surprise appearance on Friday night. Providence fell in a thriller against Marquette and played a limited roster in a postseason home loss to Boston College.
“We felt really good about our 16 players,” English said. “That was a huge area of concern after last season when we looked internally at things we needed to address to be better.”
The conference has produced four of the last eight title winners, with UConn rolling to a combined 68-11 mark since the start of the 2022-23 campaign. The Wildcats won it all in 2016 and 2018 before Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright announced his retirement; Kyle Neptune has yet to scale the same heights. The Huskies, Bluejays and Golden Eagles collected the three NCAA Tournament bids earned by the league last year.
“I guess I know what to expect in the league more than I did last season going through it for the first time,” English said. “I know now some of our biggest Achilles heels from last season going through it.”
