Kentucky players open up on facing Bryce Hopkins

To Big Blue Nation, Kentucky is playing Bryce Hopkins in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. To be fair, that was the player’s reaction to it as well.

UK returned a fair few players from last season, but also saw some leave via the transfer portal — including Hopkins, who is now in a starring role in Providence‘s frontcourt.

Jacob Toppin, Hopkins’ former teammate, revealed that he texted Hopkins in a group chat from last year’s team after learning of the matchup and poked fun at him. Hopkins reciprocated.

“We’re excited to play them. Providence, they’re a really good team,” Toppin said. “Bryce is a really good player. We played against him, so we know he is a really good player. We just have to come in and fight and understand we have to respect them but not fear them. Just be ready for the game.”

CJ Fredrick, who was on last year’s roster but missed the entire season due to injury, was also in the group chat alongside Lance Ware and a few others and joined in on the fun. He also praised the job Friars head coach Ed Cooley has been able to do in transforming Hopkins’ game and that he’s been looking forward to the game since it was announced.

“Following up on what [Toppin and Fredrick] said. We love Bryce. He is a brother to us,” Ware said. “We had good times last year with him, and to be able to go out here and play the game that we all love together is special, but, the number one thing is the game and to win the game and make sure that we fight, play hard, and do the things that we’re supposed to do.”

Video was released by BBN Tonight’s Maggie Davis that showed Ware, alongside teammate Sahvir Wheeler, greeting Hopkins in between team practices. The trio embraced like old times.

Lance Ware & Sahvir Wheeler just ran into Bryce Hopkins in between team practices/press conferences

All love between these guys (until tipoff!) pic.twitter.com/2mdqCUASXQ

— Maggie Davis (@MaggieDavisTV) March 16, 2023

The Kentucky version of Bryce Hopkins and the Providence version of him are two completely different basketball players. Hopkins has noticed that, too. In an interview done with Brian Hamilton of The Athletic, Hopkins revealed what forced him out of Lexington and into the transfer portal.

“I feel like last year when I got out there, I was under a microscope. (John Calipari) only wanted me to do certain things, and it was like I was playing like a robot,” Hopkins said. “Now, when I get on the court, it’s like coach Cooley is allowing me to do whatever I want, but under his system. I just can’t thank him enough for that.”

Hopkins started every game for Providence this season. He never recorded a single start in 28 apperances in Calipari’s lineup. He averaged just 6.4 minutes per game as a true freshman and notched 2.1 points and 1.4 rebounds per game at Kentucky. This season, he’s exploded onto the scene with 16.1 points and 8.5 points per game for the Friars — both of which are team-highs.

Whether Hopkins can best his former team, or if the Wildcats can put him in their rear view remains to be seen. The Wildcats are four-point favorites over Providence in Vegas entering Friday, and are looking for their first NCAA Tournament win since 2019 at Hopkins expense.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET live on CBS.