The Providence Friars are coming off of their first Big East regular season title in school history, winning a program record 14 conference games under Ed Cooley. After a Sweet 16 appearance for the first time in 25 years, Providence is looking to sustain the success from their record-breaking campaign. With the Friars losing their five of their top six scorers, Ed Cooley has turned to the transfer portal to rebuild their roster for the 2022-2023 season.
PROVIDENCE TRANSFER ADDITIONS:
CLIFTON MOORE, LA SALLE
12.9 PTS / 6.1 REB / 2.8 BLK / 49% FG
NOAH LOCKE, LOUISVILLE
9.6 PTS / 2.3 REB / 1.0 AST/ 34.2% 3FG
DEVIN CARTER, SOUTH CAROLINA
9.0 PTS / 3.8 REB / 1.8 AST / 0.9 STL / 42% FG
BRYCE HOPKINS, KENTUCKY
2.1 PTS / 1.4 REB / 42.9% FG
COREY FLOYD JR., UCONN
*Redshirted during his true freshman season in Storrs*
With Villanova head coach Jay Wright retiring this offseason, there is a level of uncertainty as to who is the favorite in the Big East. Ed Cooley looks to cement the Friars at the top of the list, bringing in six transfers to help replicate last year’s on-court success.
During his second season as an Explorer, Clifton Moore tallied career-highs in points, rebounds, and assists. The former Indiana Hoosier averaged 12.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists, starting all 30 contests. The Ambler, PA native will have one year of eligibility native.
Noah Locke was one of the most sought after transfers during the 2021 transfer portal cycle, leaving Florida for the ACC to play at Louisville. After averaging 9.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in a down year for the Cardinals, the Baltimore, MD native found himself in the portal for the second consecutive year. Locke has averaged 9.4 points or better in all four seasons at the collegiate level, shooting 39.4 percent from three-point range for his career.
As a member of the SEC All-Freshman Team, Devin Carter spent one season with the Gamecocks, tallying 9.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The Miami, FL native was a constant in the South Carolina lineup, appearing in 30 of the 31 contests and averaging 18.7 MPG. Carter was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and will have three seasons of eligibility for the Friars.
Kentucky transfer Bryce Hopkins is one of the most intriguing pickups for the Friars via the transfer portal. Despite recording just 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.4 minutes per game, Hopkins was a top-40 recruit and has the ability to be a dynamic player for the Friars. If Ed Cooley and company can help develop the Illinoia native, Hopkins could be the steal of the portal.
Corey Floyd Jr. comes to Providence after redshirting for the Huskies, accumulating zero stats or appearance as a true freshman. The Franklin, NJ native was the number two player in the state and a top top-100 recruit, whose father also played for the Friars.
TPR’S PROJECTED LINEUP FOR PROVIDENCE:
JARED BYNUM, G
DEVIN CARTER, G
NOAH LOCKE, G
CLIFTON MOORE, F
ED CROSWELL, C
SIXTH MAN: BRYCE HOPKINS, F
For the Friars, any combination of Locke, Moore, and Hopkins could start at the three and four spots. The experience of Locke and Moore could propel them into the starting lineup over Hopkins when the 2022-2023 season tips off.
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