Providence Friars
Big East (23-11, 10-8)
Providence seemed so close to posting a few big wins, but overtime was not always kind to the Friars. The most heartbreaking was a February 18th clash against Villanova where Providence eventually lost 82-79 in double overtime. But they did beat Creighton and that just goes to show that this is a dangerous team…at least at times.
Big Wins: 1/16 at St. John’s (84-83), 1/18 Creighton (81-68), 1/25 Xavier (81-72)
Bad Losses: 12/31 Seton Hall (80-81), 1/30 at Marquette (50-61), 2/10 at Georgetown (71-83)
Coach: Ed Cooley (3 seasons at Providence)
Why They Can Surprise:
Bryce Cotton can score in a hurry. He averages 21.4 points per game and will score in a variety of ways. Perhaps even more impressive than his scoring average is the fact that he is amazingly consistent. Rarely does he fail to reach double figures and Coach Ed Cooley can count on him to score 18 to 24 points or so game in and game out. Cotton also runs the offense and dishes out 5.8 assists per contest. Sophomore combo guard Josh Fortune was forced into more playing time this year and has responded quite well. He can make plays, but has also turned into an offensive threat. LaDontae Henton is one of the most versatile forwards in the Big East. He is a great rebounder for his 6-6 size, plays solid defense and can stretch the defense with his shooting ability. It is the interior presence of Kadeem Batts and Carson Desrosiers that opens up space for Cotton and company. Batts is always a threat to score inside and Desrosiers averages nearly three blocks per game.
Why They Can Disappoint:
The Friars tend to do a good job of staying out of foul trouble, but a couple quick whistles and Coach Ed Cooley has to call on his practically non-existent bench. Cotton and Fortune will play as close to 40 minutes per game as possible. Henton, Batts and Tyler Harris only have Desrosiers to back them up. There are other options in a pinch, most notably forward Brice Kofane, but he averages about five minutes per game and cannot keep up the production of the starters.
Probable Starters:
Bryce Cotton, Senior, Guard, 21.4 ppg, 5.8 apg
Josh Fortune, Sophomore, Guard, 8.6 ppg, 2.1 apg
LaDontae Henton, Junior, Forward, 13.9 ppg, 7.8 rpg
Tyler Harris, Sophomore, Forward, 11.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Kadeem Batts, Senior, Forward, 12.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Carson Desrosiers, Junior, Forward, 3.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 bpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 73.1 (112th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Scoring Defense: 69.6 (157, 8)
Field-Goal Percentage: 42.5 (262, 9)
Field-Goal Defense: 44.4 (209, 7)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.3 (155, 4)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 34.8 (148, 5)
Free-Throw Percentage: 78.3 (2, 1)
Rebound Margin: 3.7 (61, 3)
Assists Per Game: 13.9 (91, 6)
Turnovers Per Game: 11.9 (121, 4)
Recent Postseason Appearances:
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 3/9
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
