Providence Friars
2020-2021 Overall Rank: #46
Conference Rank: #5 Big East
2019-20 was a season of ups and downs for the Providence Friars. After a rough non-conference start to the season, the Friars were just 6-6 at one point. The Friars started to show signs of life as conference play began but were still just 13-12 in mid-February. However, the team rallied and won their final six games of the season and were in position to make the NCAA Tournament. This year, Providence will return just three players who averaged more than three points per game, but Ed Cooley has proven that he is capable of turning just about any roster into a Big East contender.
2019-20 Record: 19-12, 12-6
Coach: Ed Cooley
Coach Record: 181-122 at Providence, 273-191 overall
Key Departed Players:
Alpha Diallo, Forward, 14.1 ppg
Luwane Pipkens, Guard, 10.8 ppg
Maliek White, Guard, 7.8 ppg
Kalif Young, Forward, 5.0 ppg
Emmitt Holt, Forward, 4.8 ppg
Alpha Diallo, Forward, 14.1 ppg
Luwane Pipkens, Guard, 10.8 ppg
Maliek White, Guard, 7.8 ppg
Kalif Young, Forward, 5.0 ppg
Emmitt Holt, Forward, 4.8 ppg
Key Returning Players:
David Duke, Junior, Guard, 12.0 ppg
Nate Watson, Senior, Center, 9.0 ppg
A.J. Reeves, Junior, Guard, 7.4 ppg
Greg Gantt, Sophomore, Forward, 2.6 ppg
Jimmy Nichols, Junior, Forward, 2.2 ppg
Kris Monroe, Junior, Forward, 1.3 ppg
David Duke, Junior, Guard, 12.0 ppg
Nate Watson, Senior, Center, 9.0 ppg
A.J. Reeves, Junior, Guard, 7.4 ppg
Greg Gantt, Sophomore, Forward, 2.6 ppg
Jimmy Nichols, Junior, Forward, 2.2 ppg
Kris Monroe, Junior, Forward, 1.3 ppg
Key New Players:
Alyn Breed, Freshman, Guard
Jared Bynum, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Saint Joseph’s
Jyare Davis, Freshman, Forward
Brycen Goodine, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Syracuse, Pending Waiver
Noah Horchler, Senior, Forward, Transfer from North Florida
Jared Bynum, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Saint Joseph’s
Jyare Davis, Freshman, Forward
Brycen Goodine, Sophomore, Guard, Transfer from Syracuse, Pending Waiver
Noah Horchler, Senior, Forward, Transfer from North Florida
Projection:
Providence returns just three players who saw more than 12 minutes per game last season. David Duke had a solid sophomore campaign behind 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. As the likely alpha scorer on the team now, Duke is primed for an all-conference junior season. Nate Watson returns for his senior season after starting 13 of his 27 games as a junior. Watson averaged 9.0 points and 4.6 rebounds last year and will be needed to produce more as a senior. A.J. Reeves started 16 of his 28 games last year and averaged 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Reeves will likely become a full-time starter in the backcourt along with Duke as a junior. Greg Gantt appeared in 27 contests as a freshman, averaging 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. Gantt was a four-star recruit who could have a breakout sophomore campaign. Providence adds two transfers this season with potential for a third pending his waiver. Jared Bynum spent one season at St. Joseph’s where he averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Noah Horchler started his career in junior college before spending two seasons at North Florida. As a junior, Horchler averaged 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.7 blocks. Both Bynum and Horchler filled up the stat sheets at their prior schools, but the Big East will be a step up in competition for them. Brycen Goodine is awaiting word on a waiver to play this season after he averaged just 8.7 minutes in 23 games for Syracuse as a freshman. The only two freshmen brought in by Ed Cooley this season are both three-star recruits unlikely to make an impact as freshmen. Providence has consistently been competitive in the Big East under Cooley and this season should be no different. The Friars should find themselves back in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021.
Providence returns just three players who saw more than 12 minutes per game last season. David Duke had a solid sophomore campaign behind 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. As the likely alpha scorer on the team now, Duke is primed for an all-conference junior season. Nate Watson returns for his senior season after starting 13 of his 27 games as a junior. Watson averaged 9.0 points and 4.6 rebounds last year and will be needed to produce more as a senior. A.J. Reeves started 16 of his 28 games last year and averaged 7.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists. Reeves will likely become a full-time starter in the backcourt along with Duke as a junior. Greg Gantt appeared in 27 contests as a freshman, averaging 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. Gantt was a four-star recruit who could have a breakout sophomore campaign. Providence adds two transfers this season with potential for a third pending his waiver. Jared Bynum spent one season at St. Joseph’s where he averaged 11.3 points, 4.5 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Noah Horchler started his career in junior college before spending two seasons at North Florida. As a junior, Horchler averaged 16.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.7 blocks. Both Bynum and Horchler filled up the stat sheets at their prior schools, but the Big East will be a step up in competition for them. Brycen Goodine is awaiting word on a waiver to play this season after he averaged just 8.7 minutes in 23 games for Syracuse as a freshman. The only two freshmen brought in by Ed Cooley this season are both three-star recruits unlikely to make an impact as freshmen. Providence has consistently been competitive in the Big East under Cooley and this season should be no different. The Friars should find themselves back in the conversation for an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021.
Projected Postseason Tournament: NCAA
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 71.4 (166th in nation, 7th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 66.2 (83, 2)
Field-Goal Percentage: 41.3 (301, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 40.8 (62, 3)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 7.3 (174, 5)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 33.2 (187, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 69.4 (224, 8)
Rebound Margin: 2.3 (113, 5)
Assists Per Game: 14.4 (77, 7)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.5 (207, 6)
