The Providence Friars and URI Rams will meet for the 134th time on Saturday night at the AMP. The Friars own a 75-58 lead in the rivalry that has existed since 1933. They also have won nine of the last 11 meetings. PC/URI may not be as intense as the times when Dan Hurley roamed the Rhody sidelines, but the game will certainly still provide plenty of juice. The Friars are off to a 6-1 start on the season, while the Rams have surprised early with a 5-2 record. They have dropped their two toughest contests in year two of the Archie Miller era in Kingston. Let’s get into the matchup.
Attack the Paint- The Rams throw out a handful of forwards but they’re a guard dominant team that doesn’t provide a ton of rim protection in the paint. The Friars should look to expose this by giving Oduro and Hopkins plenty of paint touches, along with Devin Carter getting downhill and attacking the basket. We can see a big game out of Oduro in this one as he torched the Rams last season for 25.5 ppg and 14 rpg in two games.
Hold Your Own on the Glass- The Friars and Rams are pretty good rebounding teams, and both do it by gang rebounding. For the Friars they’ve been susceptible to giving up offensive rebounds this season, and URI averages around 13 a game. PC needs to hold their own and try to limit URI’s second chance opportunities, as it is probably their best chance at winning.
Backcourt Back To Full Strength? – Jayden Pierre is certainly close to making his return to the lineup. The sophomore guard has been sidelined with a groin injury and has essentially missed the last four games. He warmed up in the last game against Wagner before the staff ultimately decided to hold him out. Saturday will mark 16 days that he has sustained the injury. We know he’s close, but groins are tricky, and his status will be worth monitoring up until tip.
If he can’t go the Friars just have to continue to make it work without their floor general because in the words of Kim English “no one cares”. I’m waiting for another Garwey Dual breakout game, and this would be the perfect spot to do it especially if Pierre can’t go.
Avoid Self-Inflicted Errors – The way this game remains interesting is if Providence does the things that keep a lesser team in the game: miss free throws and carelessly turn the ball over. Providence is currently 241st in the NCAA at 68.5% from the line. PC cannot miss the front end of 1:1’s and needs to be a consistent 70% from the line.
Providence is also averaging 14 turnovers/game, coming in at 275th in the nation. A lot of that is due to Pierre being out, but PC simply needs to prioritize not turning the ball over. A lot of these turnovers are very careless.
Predictions
Crier: One constant that this team has preached is that they respect all opponents the same and don’t want to take any opponent for granted. You never know what can happen in a rivalry game but I’m confident the Friars won’t take URI lightly. Even with that being the case I see URI making this one competitive but end of the day the Friars will get it done. PC 75 URI 65
BOC: Rivalry game aside, PC is at home in front of probably the best home crowd of the short season thus far. PC also has the talent advantage. Close game early due to nerves, but PC pulls away late. Providence 77, URI 62
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