{"id":26657,"date":"2019-10-26T10:06:04","date_gmt":"2019-10-26T14:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprobasketball.com\/?p=26657"},"modified":"2019-10-26T10:06:04","modified_gmt":"2019-10-26T14:06:04","slug":"providence-basketball-season-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2019\/10\/26\/providence-basketball-season-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Providence Basketball Season Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It was another fine season for head coach <strong>Ed Cooley<\/strong> and his Friars. While the Providence basketball program did not advance to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament, the Friars made it to the NIT, while amassing an 18-16 overall record.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Previewing the Providence Friars 2019-20 Season<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Recapping the 2018-19 season<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>It was another fine season for head coach <strong>Ed Cooley<\/strong> and his Friars. While the Providence basketball program did not advance to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament, the Friars made it to the NIT, while amassing an 18-16 overall record.<\/p>\n<p>There were inconsistent moments along the way, as the Friars went a respectable 10-3 in the non-conference showing (beating quality teams like Texas and South Carolina along the way). From there, the Friars stumbled out of the gate losing their first three Big East contests.<\/p>\n<p>They regrouped to win seven of their next 15 contests, while also winning their first-round game against Butler in the Big East Tournament. The Friars quickly exited the NIT, losing to Arkansas in the first round.<\/p>\n<p>While the Friars did not make their sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Cooley took a lot of positives from last season.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s disappointing (not making NCAA Tournament) but when you start three freshmen and lost the players (<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/rodney-bullock-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rodney Bullock<\/a><\/strong>, <strong>Kyron Cartwrigh<\/strong>t, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/jalen-lindsey-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jalen Lindsey<\/a><\/strong>) from the year before you have to deal with the ups and downs,\u201d Cooley said at Big East media day. \u201c(Missing out) will motivate us and we\u2019ll try to work on a better seed; our seeds (in prior tournaments) have been hard.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>From a personal standpoint, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/alpha-diallo-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alpha Diallo<\/a><\/strong> had himself a fine season en route to being named to the All-Big East Second Team after averaging a team-high 16 points, 8.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per game.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Whose Back<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>We, of course, have to start with the return of Diallo.<\/p>\n<p>As he goes, so do the Friars.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Alpha Diallo Highlights (2018-19 Season) - Full Season\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mvp0622TXzo?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Diallo is one of the more well-rounded players in the conference. He can be a bully in the paint and adequately knock down jumpers. Look for him to be in contention for Big East Player of the Year.<\/p>\n<p>He is one of the more complete players in Providence basketball history.<\/p>\n<p>Also back is center <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/nate-watson-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Nate Watson<\/a><\/strong>. The burly big man is a force in the paint (11.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game) and he can intimidate opposing big men. The thing is, he is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.providencejournal.com\/sports\/20191019\/emmitt-holts-return-helps-banged-up-friars-past-stonehill-87-68\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">tending to a knee injury<\/a>, and it\u2019s possible he\u2019s not ready for the beginning of the season.<\/p>\n<p>The backcourt remains intact with the return of guards <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/david-duke-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">David Duke<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/maliek-white-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Maliek White<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/aj-reeves-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">A.J. Reeves<\/a><\/strong>. Duke (7.1 points per game) and Reeves (9.8 points per game on 38.1 percent shooting from three-point range) are a pair of sophomores who possess tantalizing upside. Expect major gains from both in their sophomore seasons.<\/p>\n<p>Cooley echoed that sentiment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m looking forward to David Duke and A.J. Reeves making a big jump this year,\u201d said Cooley.<\/p>\n<p>He also sees even better things for the proven veterans of the team.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think Watson made a big jump this summer. Alpha Diallo, in particular, has probably made the greatest jump and those guys are so versatile. If we can get some production and more maturity out of A.J. and David, I think the Friars\u2019 (fans) are in for a fun season.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Role players <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/kalif-young-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kalif Young<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/jimmy-nichols-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jimmy Nichols Jr.<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/kris-monroe-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kris Monroe<\/a><\/strong> are also back. Also returning for a sixth year will be big man <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/emmitt-holt-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Emmitt Holt<\/a><\/strong>. Holt is a nice player and how he comes back after missing most of the last two years after intestinal surgery will be telling.<\/p>\n<p>If Holt is fully healthy \u2014 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.providencejournal.com\/sports\/20191019\/emmitt-holts-return-helps-banged-up-friars-past-stonehill-87-68\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">early reports show he is on track<\/a> \u2014 he can be a godsend for Cooley.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>New Additions<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The biggest addition to the Providence basketball program is UMass grad transfer, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/luwane-pipkins-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luwane Pipkins<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Pipkins is a powder keg waiting to erupt. The combo guard is an explosive scorer and he\u2019ll prove to be a great mentor to Duke while getting most of the minutes at the point position. He is tending to a hamstring injury as we get closer to tip-off. Hopefully, he is back to 100 percent before the Friars\u2019 first game against Sacred Heart.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ed Cooley: Hoping Luwane Pipkins is ready by opener, Nate Watson \u2018probably out.\u2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/pcbb?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#pcbb<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/l6FNxZN5Gw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/l6FNxZN5Gw<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Kevin McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KevinMcNamara33\/status\/1187813360961806336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">October 25, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Cooley only brings in one true freshman in wing <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cbb\/players\/greg-gantt-1.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Greg Gantt<\/a><\/strong>. He is a good one though, as he was the number 67th ranked player in the 2019 class, according to 247 Sports. He should see a healthy dose of minutes if he gets over his current Achilles injury.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Season Expectations<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Cooley has a lot of talented pieces and he has enough experience to contend in the Big East.<\/p>\n<p>With Diallo leading the way, the Friars should have enough to make the NCAA Tournament. By adding Pipkins and Gantt along with the expected maturation of Duke and Reeves, this iteration of the Friars should yield better results than last year. This squad should yield results more in line with the teams of the previous five years when Providence was a regular in the NCAA Tournament.<\/p>\n<p>Suffice to say the Providence basketball program is banged up at the moment and how quickly they heal will be a telling sign. The talent, experience and the venerable guidance of Cooley should keep the Friars in discussion for a bid\u2014that much is certain.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Prediction: 19-12 overall, 9-9 Big East.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>Main Photo<br \/>\n<a id=\"gyZffLjsSY99KSdG-Syk0w\" class=\"gie-single\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/875507518\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'gyZffLjsSY99KSdG-Syk0w',sig:'0At4rPlAbaBk3QBa2rGSjwsWb2gRbUty1LohurDf0vc=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'875507518',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With most of its team back and by adding some impact newcomers, the Providence basketball program  appears to be on track to return to the NCAA Tournament. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2674,"featured_media":26669,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[773],"tags":[2416,1482,4447,2417,2414,2418,2415,2420,2419,1480],"class_list":["post-26657","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-college-basketball","tag-a-j-reeves","tag-alpha-diallo","tag-big-east-basketball","tag-david-duke","tag-ed-cooley","tag-emmitt-holt","tag-greg-gantt","tag-luwane-pipkins","tag-nate-watson","tag-providence-friars"],"modified_by":"Tyler Marling","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26657","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2674"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26657"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26657\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26669"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26657"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26657"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26657"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}