Post a Free Blog

Submit A Press Release

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Filter by Categories
Action
Animation
ATP Tour (ATP)
Auto Racing
Baseball
Basketball
Boxing
Breaking News
Business
Business
Business Newsletter
Call of Duty (CALLOFDUTY)
Canadian Football League (CFL)
Car
Celebrity
Champions Tour (CHAMP)
Comedy
CONCACAF
Counter Strike Global Offensive (CSGO)
Crime
Dark Comedy
Defense of the Ancients (DOTA)
Documentary and Foreign
Drama
eSports
European Tour (EPGA)
Fashion
FIFA
FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC)
FIFA World Cup (FIFA)
Fighting
Football
Formula 1 (F1)
Fortnite
Golf
Health
Hockey
Horror
IndyCar Series (INDY)
International Friendly (FRIENDLY)
Kids & Family
League of Legends (LOL)
LPGA
Madden
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)
MLS
Movie and Music
Movie Trailers
Music
Mystery
NASCAR Cup Series (NAS)
National Basketball Association (NBA)
National Football League (NFL)
National Hockey League (NHL)
National Women's Soccer (NWSL)
NBA Development League (NBAGL)
NBA2K
NCAA Baseball (NCAABBL)
NCAA Basketball (NCAAB)
NCAA Football (NCAAF)
NCAA Hockey (NCAAH)
Olympic Mens (OLYHKYM)
Other
Other Sports
Overwatch
PGA
Politics
Premier League (PREM)
Romance
Sci-Fi
Science
Soccer
Sports
Sports
Technology
Tennis
Thriller
Truck Series (TRUCK)
True Crime
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Uncategorized
US
Valorant
Western
Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Women’s NCAA Basketball (WNCAAB)
World
World Cup Qualifier (WORLDCUP)
WTA Tour (WTA)
Xfinity (XFT)
XFL
0
-- Advertisement --spot_img
HomeSportsBasketballProvidence out to forge new identity vs. Central Connecticut State

Providence out to forge new identity vs. Central Connecticut State

Add to Favorite
Added to Favorite


Providence will begin the second season of the Kim English era with Central Connecticut State visiting Rhode Island’s capital city on Monday night.

The Friars were led to a 21-14 record, including a berth in the NIT, by eventual lottery pick Devin Carter last season, but this is a new team. Thus, an opening five-game homestand before trekking to the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas will allow English’s team to forge an identity.

“No Josh Oduro, no Devin Carter, no Davonte Gaines, who is this team going to be?” English said at Big East Media Day. “We’ll play hard, we’re tough, we’ll defend, but it’s looking (at where) we needed to improve after last season — our ball security, free-throw shooting, rebounding, offensive efficiency.”

Four transfers and seven total newcomers join the fold in 2024-25, but the return of Preseason All-Big East pick Bryce Hopkins provides the biggest boost.

Hopkins averaged 15.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in January. Though he did not play in a 63-54 Saturday exhibition win over UMass, there is optimism he could open the season on time.

“He’s at a really good spot and confidence with his game,” English said.

As for transfers, the Friars have Massachusetts native Bensley Joseph (Miami) and former four-star recruit Wesley Cardet Jr. (Chicago State) joining junior Jayden Pierre in the backcourt, while Christ Essandoko (Saint Joseph’s) adds a 7-foot presence inside.

“A lot is still to be determined because you really don’t know someone until you see them under the lights,” English said.

Also returning is Rich Barron, a 42.9 percent 3-point shooter who earned Big East All-Rookie honors.

Central Connecticut State is coming off its first Northeast Conference regular-season championship in 17 years. The Blue Devils, who finished 20-11 last season, are projected atop the league’s preseason poll in a tie with Wagner.

“We had an older group of guys who have been together for a long period of time,” CCSU fourth-year coach Pat Sellers said. “They were really comfortable in our system. … (Everything) came together at once.”

The program’s continuity continues with four fourth-year seniors returning — a rarity in today’s college basketball. The group includes big man Jayden Brown, who shot 52.6 percent from the floor in his junior season.

The lone returning NEC All-Star also belongs to Central: senior guard Jordan Jones (13.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.8 steals per game in 2023-24).

“They’re really a huge part of our culture, and they do a good job of welcoming in the new guys,” Sellers said.

–Field Level Media

Subscribe to get Latest News Updates

Latest News

You may like more
more

Unrivaled signs LSU star Flau’jae Johnson to NIL deal

Unrivaled, the new 3-on-3 women's basketball league launching this...

Valkyries select 11 players in WNBA expansion draft

Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin and New York...

Report: Valkyries to select Kate Martin in expansion draft

The Golden State Valkyries are set to select Kate...

Colorado State out to halt rival Colorado’s home success

Colorado looks to continue its home-court dominance against in-state...