Freshman Garwey Dual and the Friars hit the floor at the AMP Saturday for the Mal Brown Scrimmage

PROVIDENCE – The lights were on, the uniforms pressed, the lineups nearly intact. College basketball is just around the corner.

Kim English’s first look at the Amica Mutual Pavilion came with flashes of his top players (Bryce Hopkins 15 pts) and promising youngsters (Rafael Castro 15 pts) showing out in what was a 46-43 win for the White jersey team. That unit included Hopkins, Devin Carter and Garwey Dual as its top three.

The only unnerving sight of the afternoon came with starting center Josh Oduro on the bench in a large walking boot. English attempted to calm the masses post-game when he reported that Oduro twisted his ankle two days ago landing on Ticket Gaines’ foot in practice. Oduro has a bit over three weeks to get healthy and be ready to face Columbia on Nov. 6.

Kim English: Josh Oduro has sprained ankle pic.twitter.com/PQS4aFDGip

— Kevin McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33) October 14, 2023

English roamed the sidelines – and even sat in the stands for a minute or so – as his assistants led the two teams. He saw the Friars combine for some solid shooting (49%, 30-of-61) from the field, but not so much from the 3-point line (29 %, 8-of-27). The explosive Hopkins was the clear-cut leader, scoring on jumpers and his patented power drives to the basket.

“He’s shooting the ball with a ton more confidence and I keep challenging him to be more of a leader and more aggressive,” English said of the reigning All-Big East pick.

*Transfer Ticket Gaines is a ready-willing-and-able shooter. Gaines battled injury woes last season at George Mason but has hit 79 threes in 101 career games at Tennessee and Mason. Gaines hit three treys and finished with 11 points and 6 rebounds.

*English said that while transfer guard Justyn Fernandez “is progressing really well” and could be recovered from off-season knee surgery by mid-season, he will look to redshirt this season.

*PC will play two ‘secret scrimmages’ before they tip off for real. Expect details of the secret outings to be somewhat minimal.

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