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Post by dex on Feb 21, 2018 10:05:14 GMT -5
By Kevin McNamara Journal Sports Writer
Cooley
PROVIDENCE — It is nut-cutting time in college basketball.
These are the dog days of February, the time when RPI and NCAA Tournament hopes sway with every win or loss. This is the time of the season when teams are happy to hear their school is linked with the word “bubble” but realize that a losing streak can turn dreams to dust.
“Every win is needed right now,” said Providence College coach Ed Cooley.
“Everybody is desperate right now. It is desperate basketball at its highest level.”
The Friars have found a way into the last four NCAA Tournaments but in three of those seasons Cooley needed some late-season magic to clinch a bid.
That’s where the Friars sit once again in the ultra-competitive Big East. PC (8-6) is tied for third in the conference, one game ahead of Seton Hall (7-7). The Friars and Pirates square off at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center with both teams needing a victory to burnish their NCAA hopes.
PC and the Hall are two of five Big East teams that currently sit within two games of third place. Similar logjams are in place in the other two top conferences in college basketball, the ACC and the Big 12. Right now games like Wednesday’s can only help to provide some guidance as to whether the Friars and Pirates should be in the field instead of Baylor, Florida State, Syracuse or Kansas State and where the fortunate teams should be seeded.
Winning is the only ingredient that provides some clarity to the situation. Providence is one team that is refusing to offer any clarity. The Friars have shown they can beat some of the elite teams in the country (Villanova, Xavier) or shoot 15.6 percent (5 of 32) in a half like they did in a loss at Butler on Saturday.
The Bulldogs would be included in the NCAA field if the tourney began today and so would Seton Hall. That only provides the Friars another chance at a critical win.
“It’s been a battle all year, not just with my team but with many teams around the country to build some consistency toward winning,” Cooley said. “I think our identity shows sometimes. That’s a toughness, a togetherness. When that doesn’t come into play, I don’t think we’re a very efficient offensive team.”
The Friars have sunk to 103rd in the country in offensive efficiency, according to kenpom.com. That’s in stark contrast to a defense that ranks a competitive 39th in the efficiency ratings. The Friars are actually in a prolonged offensive slump. They’ve failed to shoot better than 50 percent in a half in the last seven games.
“We’re putting in the work but the shots just aren’t falling. We’re getting the shots that we want. They will eventually fall,” said Isaiah Jackson.
Instead, the Friars are winning with defense. That will need to be the case once again against a Seton Hall team built around a group of seasoned, veteran players. Seniors Angel Delgado, Khadeen Carrington, Desi Rodriguez and Ismael Sanogo have won four of their last five games against Providence and that includes a dominating 73-57 win in Newark on Jan. 31.
“Every game is crucial, honestly. It’s just time to move on to the next game and that’s Seton Hall,” Jackson said.
Cooley says that while he needs his seniors to play with that missing consistency, the veteran nature of the team can hopefully pay off this time of the season.
“The one thing we have to do is stay positive, stay focused and concentrate on the next game. You don’t want to focus on anything else,” Cooley said. “Seton Hall beat us and we don’t want to get swept. They’re desperate. We have to be good.”
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mikemc
Friar Fanatic
Posts: 3,240
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Post by mikemc on Feb 21, 2018 10:06:41 GMT -5
So who has diarrhea for tonight’s game? Who is vomiting? Who got hit in the head during practice this week? Anyone have a status in the health of the team for tonight?! ....gotta love friartown... Should we be concerned about your health? If you did laps with Dec you might live longer. PIZZA, SODA, GRINDERS!!! Doing laps with Dex could lead into me posting about URI on this Friars board.. See ya at The Vig.. ....gotta love friartown...
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Seton Hall
Feb 21, 2018 10:20:13 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by FriarNut on Feb 21, 2018 10:20:13 GMT -5
Jackson was quoted as saying "we're getting the shots we want they're just not falling" I disagree, at least against Butler They couldn't get a clean look in 2nd half
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Post by drairf on Feb 21, 2018 12:29:29 GMT -5
So who has diarrhea for tonight’s game? Who is vomiting? Who got hit in the head during practice this week? Anyone have a status in the health of the team for tonight?! A couple of the guys were under the weather the past couple days and only participated in shooting drills.
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Post by TheInfoMan on Feb 21, 2018 12:56:40 GMT -5
So who has diarrhea for tonight’s game? Who is vomiting? Who got hit in the head during practice this week? Anyone have a status in the health of the team for tonight?! A couple of the guys were under the weather the past couple days and only participated in shooting drills. At this rate they might as well exchange their Friar uni's for hospital gowns.
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Post by dex on Feb 21, 2018 13:38:58 GMT -5
Supposedly the game is on FS1 in RI but Verizon's program guide is showing that the Hoyas game is on at 6:30
WTF does anything ever go smooth anymore?
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mikemc
Friar Fanatic
Posts: 3,240
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Post by mikemc on Feb 21, 2018 14:24:45 GMT -5
So who has diarrhea for tonight’s game? Who is vomiting? Who got hit in the head during practice this week? Anyone have a status in the health of the team for tonight?! A couple of the guys were under the weather the past couple days and only participated in shooting drills. My Dad is 84 years old and got over the flu quicker than the Friars!! What’s the floor condition tonight? Just trying to cover all possible conditions for a Friar victory.
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Post by friar71 on Feb 21, 2018 15:34:00 GMT -5
Supposedly the game is on FS1 in RI but Verizon's program guide is showing that the Hoyas game is on at 6:30 WTF does anything ever go smooth anymore? Scared me but I agree it is not on FS1. For those in the Sunshine State it is on Fox Florida.
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Post by thewalk on Feb 21, 2018 16:06:12 GMT -5
MASN2 in dc
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Post by FriarNut on Feb 21, 2018 16:09:41 GMT -5
A couple of the guys were under the weather the past couple days and only participated in shooting drills. My Dad is 84 years old and got over the flu quicker than the Friars!! What’s the floor condition tonight? Just trying to cover all possible conditions for a Friar victory. heavy condensation, few puddles in painted area according to my guy who does floor Hey better than the flu!!
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Post by mikes27 on Feb 21, 2018 16:28:24 GMT -5
the game is on FSN/YurView(Cox channel 4),/YES
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Post by drairf on Feb 21, 2018 16:29:25 GMT -5
FOX Sports Arizona FOX Sports Detroit Fox Sports Florida Fox Sports Midwest PLUS Fox Sports North FOX Sports Ohio Fox Sports Southeast Fox Sports Southwest PLUS FOX Sports West Fox Sports Wisconsin MASN2 YES Network Yurview – New England
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friar82
Administrator
BCC Member
Posts: 8,153
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Post by friar82 on Feb 21, 2018 18:55:34 GMT -5
Notables in opening minutes: Rodney is awake, White subbed in for Cartwright in opening minutes MAL looking to facilitate
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friar82
Administrator
BCC Member
Posts: 8,153
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Post by friar82 on Feb 21, 2018 19:16:04 GMT -5
8-0 scoring draught began with out 7 minutes left in the first half. Missed layups and foulshots galore
Condensation buildup on the floor dumps Desi Rodriguez. Ahg
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Seton Hall
Feb 21, 2018 19:16:09 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by drairf on Feb 21, 2018 19:16:09 GMT -5
And there's the wet court.
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