Providence Friars
Big East (20-12, 10-8)
Providence has been a fixture in the postseason in recent years, whether it is in the NCAA Tournament or the NIT. Last year the Friars beat USC in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before getting crushed by North Carolina. The expectations were not very high coming into this year and Providence’s youth and inexperience caught up to them at times, but in the end the Friars had a very good season with the potential for a win or two yet to come.
Big Wins: 1/28 at Marquette (79-78), 2/11 Butler (71-65), 2/22 at Creighton (68-66)
Bad Losses: 12/23 at Boston College (67-79), 1/10 at DePaul (63-64), 1/25 St. John’s (86-91)
Coach: Ed Cooley
Why They Can Surprise:
Point guard Kyron Cartwright is the heart and soul of the team. The junior point guard averages 11.4 points and 6.7 assists. Despite being just 5-11, Cartwright can get to the basket and finish or find one of his teammates. With Rodney Bullock, Emmitt Holt and Jalen Lindsey all averaging double digits in the scoring department, Cartwright has plenty of options when looking for a scorer. Providence will need to win games with their defense. Coach Ed Cooley does not have a particularly tall team, with Holt and Bullock manning the forward spots at 6-7 and 6-8, respectively. However, it is a very long team. Regular starters Lindsey and freshman Alpha Diallo are both 6-7 and that length all over the floor can be difficult for opposing offenses to deal with.
Why They Can Disappoint:
Without a dominating force in the paint, the Friars do have trouble rebounding. Against another long team that likes to the shoot the ball, Providence can match up very effectively. That was evident in their two wins over Marquette. However, against a bigger, stronger team, the lack of a rebounder and shot blocker will hurt Providence. Despite starting four juniors and reaching the NCAA Tournament the last two years, it remains to be seen if Cartwright, Lindsey or Bullock can turn into postseason leaders after playing supporting roles the previous two seasons.
Probable Starters:
Kyron Cartwright, Junior, Guard, 11.4 ppg, 6.7 apg, 3.6 rpg
Jalen Lindsey, Junior, Guard, 10.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg
Alpha Diallo, Freshman, Guard, 5.7 ppg, 1.2 apg
Emmitt Holt, Junior, Forward, 12.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Rodney Bullock, Junior, Forward, 15.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg
Key Role Players:
Isaiah Jackson, Sophomore, Guard, 5.7 ppg, 1.3 apg
Maliek White, Freshman, Guard, 2.6 ppg
Kalif Young, Freshman, Forward, 3.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg
Ryan Fazekas, Sophomore, Guard, 3.1 ppg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 70.6 (236th in nation, 9th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.5 (49, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 44.8 (153, 8)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.1 (195, 5)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.3 (185, 6)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 37.4 (68, 3)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.7 (189, 7)
Rebound Margin: -1.1 (245, 8)
Assists Per Game: 14.4 (117, 5)
Turnovers Per Game: 12.3 (99, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
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 3/5
