Post by dmac80 on Sept 2, 2013 19:13:59 GMT -5
The Friars will look to move on from the Ricardo Ledo “saga” last season. Hopes were high entering the 2012-13 season after Head Coach Ed Cooley secured a top 10 nationally ranked recruiting class. Obviously Ledo, the stud of the class, was never deemed eligible and Providence found themselves in the NIT. This season however, Providence returns almost their entire core along with some high major transfers that will be eligible this year.
Gone is starting point guard Vincent Council who paced the Friars with 6.8 APG. Look for the high scoring, former combo guard Bryce Cotton to assume full time point guard duties. Cotton will be one of the top guards in the entire nation. As a First Team All-Big East selection, Cotton led the conference in scoring with 18.3 PPG while averaging 19.7 PPG for the season. Joining him in the backcourt is former McDonald’s All American, Kris Dunn. As a freshman Dunn showed a promising all-around game with averages of 5.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.2 APG. With more opportunities, Dunn should take a big step up during his sophomore campaign. Sophomore Josh Fortune will also provide depth off the bench.
The Friars also return a couple of studs in the front court. Senior power forward Kadeem Batts earned All-Big East Honorable Mention and the Big East Most Improved player award last season after averaging 14.8 PPG and 7.2 RPG. Junior LaDontae Henton will start at the other forward position. Henton led the Friars in rebounds with 8.3 RPG while also contributing 13 PPG. Most likely rounding out the starting five will be Sidiki Johnson. Johnson is very raw offensively, but will contribute with defense and rebounding.
The biggest issue for Providence will be their lack of depth at all positions. Josh Fortune is the only returning guard that saw any significant playing time last season. Freshman Jalen Lindsey (ESPN100 #32) should see quality minutes and will provide some depth at both the forward positions. He has borderline freakish athletic ability with size and length. However, he is extremely slender and will have a difficult time guarding stronger forwards. His shooting ability and ball handling skills are also weaknesses at this point in his career. Transfers Carson Desrosiers and Tyler Harris will also be in the mix for front court minutes.
With so many question marks beyond the starting five, it looks as though Providence is destined for a season on the bubble. The Friars will certainly be one of the more intriguing teams to follow in the Big East with some of the best individual talents in the conference.
www.thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=1177
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Good news that Sidiki will return to be a hero, Lindsey will forgo his senior year and start for PC, and Austin isn't on the team, apparently. Good God...
Gone is starting point guard Vincent Council who paced the Friars with 6.8 APG. Look for the high scoring, former combo guard Bryce Cotton to assume full time point guard duties. Cotton will be one of the top guards in the entire nation. As a First Team All-Big East selection, Cotton led the conference in scoring with 18.3 PPG while averaging 19.7 PPG for the season. Joining him in the backcourt is former McDonald’s All American, Kris Dunn. As a freshman Dunn showed a promising all-around game with averages of 5.7 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 3.2 APG. With more opportunities, Dunn should take a big step up during his sophomore campaign. Sophomore Josh Fortune will also provide depth off the bench.
The Friars also return a couple of studs in the front court. Senior power forward Kadeem Batts earned All-Big East Honorable Mention and the Big East Most Improved player award last season after averaging 14.8 PPG and 7.2 RPG. Junior LaDontae Henton will start at the other forward position. Henton led the Friars in rebounds with 8.3 RPG while also contributing 13 PPG. Most likely rounding out the starting five will be Sidiki Johnson. Johnson is very raw offensively, but will contribute with defense and rebounding.
The biggest issue for Providence will be their lack of depth at all positions. Josh Fortune is the only returning guard that saw any significant playing time last season. Freshman Jalen Lindsey (ESPN100 #32) should see quality minutes and will provide some depth at both the forward positions. He has borderline freakish athletic ability with size and length. However, he is extremely slender and will have a difficult time guarding stronger forwards. His shooting ability and ball handling skills are also weaknesses at this point in his career. Transfers Carson Desrosiers and Tyler Harris will also be in the mix for front court minutes.
With so many question marks beyond the starting five, it looks as though Providence is destined for a season on the bubble. The Friars will certainly be one of the more intriguing teams to follow in the Big East with some of the best individual talents in the conference.
www.thehoopsreport.com/article.aspx?id=1177
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Good news that Sidiki will return to be a hero, Lindsey will forgo his senior year and start for PC, and Austin isn't on the team, apparently. Good God...
