Kentucky, Bryce Hopkins prepare for NCAA Tournament war: "God works in mysterious ways."

“God works in mysterious ways.”

Providence star forward Bryce Hopkins was sitting on the edge of his seat waiting for his team’s NCAA Tournament draw. And yes, he noticed that the math was adding up for a potential head-to-head battle with his former team in the opening round. He saw the regions checked off one by one, the East remaining with neither the Friars nor Kentucky Wildcats on the board yet. Many of the mock brackets had his current and former teams facing off in the No. 6 vs. No. 11 game, and there it sat, available for the taking.

Sure enough, date set. Friday evening in Greensboro, 7:10 p.m. ET.

And it’s exactly what both sides were hoping for. The expressions said it all, Hopkins and Kentucky senior forward Jacob Toppin specifically fired up. Two players that will be duking it out at the power forward spot.

Bryce Hopkins & the Providence Friars have a NCAA Tournament date with Kentucky #pcbb #friars #Bigeast pic.twitter.com/T6zLNlXToM

— Brendan McGair (@BWMcGair03) March 12, 2023

“I can’t wait to prepare for them and play them,” Hopkins said. “… I’ll say hello after the game, but before the game, I’m gonna be locked in.”

“J.T.-Bryce matchup? Tough,” Toppin added.

“J.T.-Bryce matchup? TOUGH!”

Jacob Toppin is ready to face Bryce Hopkins in the NCAA Tournament pic.twitter.com/PKDLY5hbE8

— Jack Pilgrim (@JackPilgrimKSR) March 13, 2023

For Hopkins, it’s an opponent he felt put him “under a microscope” and made him “look over (his) shoulder” during his time in Lexington.

“(Calipari) only wanted me to do certain things, and it was like I was playing like a robot,” the former Wildcat told Brian Hamilton of The Athletic back in February. “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.”

2.1 points in 6.4 minutes per game at Kentucky to 16.1 points in 34.8 minutes at Providence. SEC bench warmer to Big East star. It makes sense why there may be some animosity one direction and appreciation the other.

For the Wildcats, nothing but respect for Hopkins finding success after betting on himself in the transfer portal. He may have left the program, but the love remains.

“Bryce is such a great kid and he’s a terrific basketball player,” John Calipari said on Selection Sunday. “And he had an unbelievable year for them. The guys smiled, the guys that knew him — we all liked him. It’s a player out there that we enjoyed being around and he is a wonderful person and so is his family.”

It’s still brotherly love with his former teammates.

“I mean, even though he transferred, you know that he still has that bond with us. That’s my brother for life,” junior forward Lance Ware said of his former teammate. “Obviously, he had a really good year. We’re fans, I’m a fan of his. The things he’s doing at Providence, and I’m happy for him.”

“Yeah, it’s gonna be fun,” senior guard CJ Fredrick added. “We’re really looking forward to competing against Bryce and seeing him. He’s one of our teammates, and, you know, we love him. We’re just going to enjoy it and get ready to compete against each other.”

As Hopkins said, the hugs and handshakes will take place after the game. Before then, he’s going to help his team draw up a game plan to take on his former Wildcats.

First order of business? Shutting down Oscar Tshiebwe.

“We’re going to try our best to take away their primaries, come out with that dub,” he said. “They’re going to be playing hard, we’re going to have to box Oscar (Tshiebwe) out, go from there.”

The stage is set for one of the most anticipated matchups of the opening round. And Providence coach Ed Cooley knows it’s going to be one that Hopkins is amped up about — and potentially a bit nervous.

“It’s going to be a lot going through his head,” Cooley told the CBS Sports Network crew. “Just put my arm around him, tell him it’s okay to be excited, it’s okay. He’ll probably throw a fastball off the side of the backboard. He’ll be a little bit nervous.

“At the end of the day he’s going to have an opportunity to do something, play the game he loves, to go out there and try to perform at the highest level. It’s Divine Providence that this matchup was made for television for CBS primetime. It’s going to be a great, great game and hopefully he plays well.”

“I can’t wait for the matchup, can’t wait to see (Bryce) go against his old school. It’s a good story to be written, you know?” Providence forward Ed Croswell added. “It’s going to be a battle down there when we play. We’re very aware of that story. I didn’t expect it to be Kentucky, but wow that we know it’s Kentucky, we’re going to play our butts off for him.”