PROVIDENCE – For the second straight game, the Providence Friars hit the hardwood without their key centerpiece. Citing the fall that Bryce Hopkins endured 10 days ago against DePaul, PC head coach Kim English noted after Friday’s buzzer-beating 72-70 loss to St. John’s that the All-Big East talent is progressing in the right direction.
“He’s day to day right now,” said English. “There’s some soreness and swelling. We didn’t want him to play with any pain.
Going to keep monitoring it.” English cited the Friars’ 11-day break that commenced after Friday’s game and how Hopkins figures to benefit. PC’s next game isn’t until New Year’s Eve against nationally-ranked Marquette at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
“We didn’t want to risk anything [Friday],” said the coach. “Everything is fine structurally.” Asked if Friar fans will see Hopkins take the court again this season, English responded, “That’s the plan.
” Hopkins returned from ACL surgery earlier this month and played in three straight games before missing last Saturday’s 74-70 loss to St. Bonaventure. Without Hopkins this season, the Friars are a .
500 team (5-5). “A little bit,” said English when asked if Hopkins was able to practice in some capacity leading up to Friday’s game against the Red Storm. “We sort of knew that he wasn’t going to play late [Friday] afternoon,” said St.
John’s head coach Rick Pitino. “You have to give them a lot of credit. They were without .
