What will 2025 bring to college hoops in Rhode Island? Bill Koch has some questions

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The end of the holiday season corresponds will the full-time start of conference play in college basketball.

Providence Colllege’s men and women have a couple of Big East games checked off the list already. Now it will be just about nothing but league foes for the Friars and everyone else until March.

The first two months have offered some answers and created a few more questions. As things currently stand, none of the state’s eight Division I programs is in a comfortable NCAA Tournament position. That could change with the right results over the next few weeks.

Let’s start a little conversation, shall we?

Will we see a healthy Bryce Hopkins in 2024-25?

There’s still no answer to this one with Hopkins approaching a full year since his major left knee injury. He’s had surgery to repair a torn ACL. He’s rehabbed and returned for three games. He’s also been held out of losses to St. Bonaventure and St. John’s, a reminder the road to full strength isn’t always a straight one.

More: Bryce Hopkins on bench as PC basketball loses to St. Bonaventure. Here’s what happened.

Dec 10, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; DePaul Blue Demons forward Troy D’Amico (0) defends against Providence Friars forward Bryce Hopkins (23) during the first half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The growing fear — still bordering on conspiracy theory at this point among Providence fans — is that Hopkins could remain sidelined, enter the transfer portal and pursue an extra medical redshirt year for the 2025-26 season. That would allow Hopkins to welcome fresh name, image and likeness bidders for his services on the open market.

Hopkins and the Friars have given no indication that that will be the case. Providence coach Kim English said it was still “the plan” to have Hopkins back in uniform at some point after a 72-70 loss to the Red Storm. His health is paramount, of course, but the Friars — at 7-6 overall and with no real current postseason hopes — need him…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/2025-bring-college-hoops-rhode-101731572.html

Author : The Providence Journal

Publish date : 2024-12-31 10:17:00

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