Providence Friars
Big East (21-13, 10-8)
Providence finished 10-8 in Big East play, which was good enough to tie for third. More importantly though, two of those wins came against Xavier and Villanova. The Friars had some tough losses along the way, but this group has proven that they can beat anybody on any given day. If Providence is playing well, they could be a very tough out.
Big Wins: 1/6 Xavier (81-72), 1/20 Creighton (85-71), 2/14 Villanova (76-71)
Bad Losses: 11/13 Minnesota (74-86), 12/9 at Massachusetts (63-72), 2/10 DePaul (63-80)
Coach: Ed Cooley
Why They Can Surprise:
Providence has found success this year by attacking the basket. Rodney Bullock, a 6-8 forward, spends a lot of time at the charity stripe. Guards Alpha Diallo, Kyron Cartwright and Isaiah Jackson are not afraid to get to the basket either and this is a Friars team that can put points on the board without having to rely on their outside shooting. Bullock will do more than just hit some free-throws though. He leads the team with 14.0 points per game and adds 5.8 rebounds. Diallo and Jalen Lindsey are both big 6-7 wings who can help out on the glass as well. Lindsey is also the team’s best outside shooter. With Cartwright attacking the basket and finishing himself or finding one of his teammates, Providence has a very capable offense.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Friars need to stay focused if they want to make a tournament run. There have been some bad losses against teams like Massachusetts and DePaul. The perimeter defense was usually very good, but Providence can allow the opposition to get too many easy looks inside. The play of Kalif Young and Nate Watson could also be key. Young, at 6-9, and Watson, at 6-10, are the two tallest players in the regular rotation. Coach Ed Cooley will need them to help Bullock and Diallo on the glass and provide some quality frontcourt play on the defensive end.
Probable Starters:
Kyron Cartwright, Senior, Guard, 11.8 ppg, 5.7 apg
Alpha Diallo, Sophomore, Guard, 13.0 ppg, 2.2 apg, 6.6 rpg
Jalen Lindsey, Senior, Guard, 8.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg
Rodney Bullock, Senior, Forward, 14.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.0 bpg
Kalif Young, Sophomore, Forward, 4.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg
Key Role Players:
Nate Watson, Freshman, Center, 6.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg
Maliek White, Sophomore, Guard, 5.0 ppg
Makai Ashton-Langford, Freshman, Guard, 4.2 ppg, 1.7 apg
Isaiah Jackson, Junior, Guard, 7.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 74.0 (174th in nation, 8th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 72.7 (188, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.6 (183, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.7 (220, 8)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.5 (277, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.6 (202, 8)
Free-Throw Percentage: 70.0 (232, 9)
Rebound Margin: 0.1 (198, 8)
Assists Per Game: 13.9 (160, 9)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.7 (155, 7)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
2017 NCAA Opening Round loss to USC
2016 NCAA Round of 64 win over USC
2016 NCAA Round of 32 loss to North Carolina
2015 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Dayton
2014 NCAA Round of 64 loss to North Carolina
2013 NIT First Round win over Charlotte
2013 NIT Second Round win over Robert Morris
2013 NIT Quarterfinal loss to Baylor
2009 NIT First Round loss to Miami
2007 NIT First Round loss to Bradley
2004 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Pacific
2003 NIT Opening Round win over Richmond
2003 NIT First Round win over Charleston
2003 NIT Second Round loss to Georgetown
2001 NCAA Round of 64 loss to Penn State
*all team stats through 3/4
