Providence College Friars lose more than just a game to Seton Hall

The Providence College Friars went into their game Wednesday night flying high. They had beaten 6th-ranked Marquette, fairly easily, and Butler in a thrilling overtime victory in their previous two games to start the Big East schedule 2-0. They had won 46 of their last 49 games at home. They had just cracked the top 25 rankings – coming in at 23. Things were looking rosy.

Seton Hall came into the game with a record of 8-5. Surely they would be no match for Providence. But that’s why they play the games. Seton Hall had upset 5th-ranked UConn two games ago, but then lost to Butler by 20.

Providence came out fast. Center Josh Oduro was unstoppable down low to start out the game, hitting his first six shots. Midway through the first half, Providence led, 19-10. It would be their biggest lead.

Then the Friars went cold on offense. Seton Hall would outscore the Friars, 19-5, the rest of the first half to take a 29-24 lead into halftime.

Things would get worse for the Friars when early in the second half, Bryce Hopkins collapsed at midcourt after jumping to throw a pass leading a fast break. Hopkins landed awkwardly, and his left knee buckled. Hopkins' screaming in agony could be heard loud and clear on the telecast of the game. It was obvious right away that the Friars would not only be without Hopkins for the rest of this game, but for a long time.

On Thursday, it was confirmed that Hopkins had torn his ACL and would, indeed, be out for the year. Hopkins was Providence’s best player a year ago and, along with Devin Carter, was poised to lead the Friars to bigger and better things this year – despite the loss of their longtime popular coach, Ed Cooley.

The Friars would rally together, but their offense was lost without Hopkins. Oduro went cold, despite being fed the ball constantly in the low post. Carter was unable to get going, scoring only 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting. But Carter contributed, like he always does, in other areas, recording 10 rebounds and 6 assists, including a gorgeous alley-oop lob to the high flying Corey Floyd, Jr. late in the game that got the stunned Providence crowd amped up.

Alas, it was too little too late.  The Friars had a chance to tie it at the end of regulation, but Oduro missed a short left-handed bank shot with 8 seconds left. It was a frustrating end for Oduro who finished with 23 points despite taking a game-high 20 shots.

Davontae “Ticket” Gaines was a no show in the game after scoring 17 and 18 points in the last two games. Gaines took only three shots and scored two points. He missed both his three-point shots despite making five in each of the last two games.

Corey Floyd, Jr. was a bright spot for Providence, scoring 7 points and getting 6 rebounds. He was constantly diving on the floor for loose balls and playing aggressive offense.

The Friars (11-3) will be looking for players like Floyd and Gaines to step up in the absence of Hopkins. Providence next plays, Saturday, at 2 p.m. at Creighton (10-4).