Big East-Big 12 Battle – Game Notes & Preview: Providence (7-1) at #23 Oklahoma (7-0) 12/5/2023

📅 Date & Time: Tuesday, December 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m.

📍 Venue: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK

📺 Broadcast: ESPNU with Mark Neely and Tim Welsh (Watch ESPN); Radio with John Rooke and Joe Hassett on WPRO-99.7 FM/630 AM (The Varsity Network App & YouTube); FriarTV

🤑 Opening Line: Providence +4, Over/Under 140.5

Providence College Friars:

• Record: 7-1
• Last Game Starters:
  • Jayden Pierre, So., G, 10.6 ppg/3.0 apg
  • Ticket Gaines, Gr., G, 8.3 ppg/4.4 rpg
  • Josh Oduro, Gr., F, 14.0 ppg/6.1 rpg
  • Devin Carter, Jr., G, 15.0 ppg/8.6 rpg
  • Bryce Hopkins, Jr., F/G, 17.3 ppg/8.6 rpg
• Recent Performances:
  • Bryce Hopkins notched his 13th career double-double last time out against Lehigh with a season-best performance of 25 points and 14 rebounds. Hopkins leads the Big East in free throw attempts at 44 and minutes played per game at 35.3
• Historical Performances:
  • Providence is 0-1 all-time against Oklahoma with the only meeting being in the NIT on March 20, 1991. The Friars lost, 83-74, to end their season.
  • Providence is 3-1 in the Big East-Big 12 Battle
• Stat Leaders:
  • Points/Game – Bryce Hopkins, 17.3
  • Rebounds/Game – Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter, 8.6
  • Assists/Game – Devin Carter, 3.5
  • Minutes/Game – Bryce Hopkins, 34.6

Oklahoma Sooners

• Record: 7-0
• Last Game Starters:
  • Milos Uzan, So., G, 7.4 ppg/5.0 apg
  • Javian McCollum, Jr., G, 13.6 ppg/3.0 apg
  • Otega Oweh, So., G, 15.7 ppg/4.8 rpg
  • Jalon Moore, Jr., F, 10.7 ppg/4.7 rpg
  • John Hugley IV, R-Jr., F, 12.0 ppg/6.1 rpg
• Recent Performances:
  • Oklahoma is coming off a 107-86 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday, November 30th. Otega Oweh led the way with 20 points, which tied a career-high for the sophomore guard. Scoring 107 was the most points scored by Oklahoma since December 3, 2020 when they beat UTSA by dropping 105 on them.
• Stat Leaders:
  • Points/Game – Otega Oweh, 15.7
  • Rebounds/Game – Sam Godwin, 6.7
  • Assists/Game – Milos Uzan, 5.0
  • Minutes/Game – Milos Uzan, 29.1

Quote Corner: “We want to play with pace…and it’s hard to play with pace when…you’re getting the ball out of the net. Out offensive attack has to start with stops [on defense].” – Kim English after Providence’s win against URI.

Game Preview:

Providence and Oklahoma face off in a highly anticipated game matchup as part of this season’s Big East-Big 12 Battle. Both teams have done well in early non-conference play with the Friars lone loss coming against fellow Big 12 team Kansas State and the Sooners getting off to a 7-0 start and entering the AP top 25 last Monday and moving up from 25 to 23 as of this week’s poll.

Jayden Pierre returned last time out for Providence and looked good overall even with a minutes limit. Kim English discussed in the postgame after URI that Pierre appeared to be playing a bit fast and had some turnovers as a result, but I’d expect that to iron itself out as he gets more game time under his belt after missing 3 games with a groin injury. Providence is coming off their season low in turnovers, the first time they’ve been under 10 this season, so continuing that trend in a hostile road environment will be a key to success. Also key for the Friars will be their defensive effort. Look for Providence to stick Devin Carter on Otega Oweh to try to minimize the impact of Oklahoma’s best player. On the offensive side of the ball the Friars appear to have an advantage at the rim, so look for the ball to go to Josh Oduro early and often to hopefully open things up at the 3-point line.

Final Thoughts: Oklahoma and Providence have shown strong defenses through the first month of this season, so I expect this game to be won by which team’s offense is able to overcome. If Providence limits turnovers they should have a chance.

Score Prediction: Providence 68, Oklahoma 70

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Mike Hopkins

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