Providence Friars 72 (11-3)
Butler Bulldogs 52 (8-6)
Devin Carter has officially arrived and the rest of the Big East needs to be put on notice. Carter scored a game-high 21 points and did so in just about every single way you can score in a basketball game. Whether it was in transition, posting up, a dribble drive, or a pull up, Carter had his way with the Butler Bulldogs for the entirety of the game.
Ed Croswell notched a double-double en route to an easy road win (apparently there is such a thing) in a game that was never in question from the tip. The Friars let by 28 points at the half and may have coasted in the second half with the game out of reach so early. The Friars are now 3-0 in Big East play and are one of three teams that have not lost a game so far in conference play, the others being UConn and Xavier.
Game Notes:
- Let’s immediately get back to Devin Carter.
- 21 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block.
- This was the first game that I saw a look in Carter’s eyes that he knew he was going to take the ball and put it through the hoop, and there was nothing that you could do to stop him. His confidence was off the charts in this game and I can’t say I blame him one bit in thinking so. He wasn’t even attempting shots like this before this game but the dude was feeling himself…
- Carter shot 9/16 from the field and controlled the game on both ends of the floor, showing how much of a complete player he can be.
- Just a friendly reminder, Devin Carter and Bryce Hopkins are both Sophomores.
- Ed Croswell continues to somehow be the unsung hero in each of these games despite dominating in them. It might be because he’s played the Robin role to both Hopkins and Carter so far, but his play has been STELLER.
- Just ask Big Poppa Watson.
- Croswell recorded his third double-double of the season and has scored in double figures in 11 of the 14 games this season, including the last 6.
- Through 3 games in conference play, Croswell is averaging 18.7 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 2.3 bpg, & 1.7 spg. Do your thing Big Ed!
- The best part of his performance might have actually been his perfect 5/5 performance from the free throw line. He has now bumped his free throw shooting up to a career best 64.3% on the season and a nice round 70% in Big East play.
- If there was any doubt left in anyone’s mind after the previous game, I think I can safely say that Jared Bynum is BACK.
- Bynum scored 11 points on 4/7 shooting and handed out a game-high 7 assists.
- JB needs to keep the momentum going and with other guys stepping up each and every game, it’s going to be easier for him to pick and choose his moments throughout the game.
- Not much was needed from Bryce Hopkins in this game with everyone else picking up the slack but a decent stat line, at least these days, was put up with 6 points, 8 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block.
- Even when Bryce doesn’t have his offensive game clicking, the guy can still smother you on the boards. His 9.6 rpg are good for 24th best in the country and tied for 2nd best in the Big East.
- At one point, Noah Locke looked like the Noah Locke this team is going to need in order to do any damage this season. The Friars need consistent outside shooting from Locke and his 32.1% from three is not going to cut it. We need that to be 35%+ in order for him to be a threat from the outside when guys like Bynum, Carter, and Hopkins drive to the bucket or Croswell gets it in the post. Everyone else’s game sets Locke up to have open looks on kick outs, he just needs to start knocking them down on a consistent basis.
- That pass from Pierre was magnificent.
- Clifton Moore saw significant minutes for the first time in a while after starting out conference play by playing just 5 and 9 minutes against Seton Hall and Marquette.
- Moore looked like the guy we saw at the beginning of the year scoring 7 points and tying a season-high with 8 boards. There were a few times where I wanted him to pull the trigger from three when he was being given space by his defender, but I’m just picking some nits in an otherwise really solid game from Clifton.
- I’m going to be honest for a moment here, I did not expect Jayden Pierre’s long distance shooting to be this good going into the year. Pierre hit a three at the top of the key and is now shooting 8/12 from deep on the season. He definitely picks his spots when he’s going to let it fly but shit, he’s doing a hell of a job of it so far. Usually our young guards shoot terribly their first season from three (Cartwright, Bynum, etc.) but he’s bucking that trend.
- Alyn Breed is always solid, Mr. Reliable if you will.
- This picture of Breed’s only bucket of the game is pretty damn sweet.
- Always a pleasure to see the Death Lineup make an appearance.
- I have to give Quante the nod on the Celebration Photo.
- The Friars went a perfect 6-0 in the month of December.
Up Next, the Friars stay on the road to take on DePaul on New Year’s Day at 2:30 PM on FS1.
The Morning Hangover 
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