The last time the Pirates came to the AMP, rumors were swirling about team dysfunction and Ed Cooley potentially leaving his dream job for another school in conference. How times have changed since then…
Even with a depleted Seton Hall roster, the Pirates shellacked Providence 82 – 58 in what may have been the lowest point of an otherwise surprising 2022-2023 season. The Pirates now return to Providence sitting at 8-5 and 1-1 in conference. Seton Hall has arguably one of the best wins in conference with a 15 point home win against Connecticut, while also possessing one of the worst conference losses with a 20 point road loss against middling Xavier. The team is led by one of the most complete guards in the entire conference in Kadary Richmond, who is averaging 15 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2.5 steals.
Below, we detail what the Providence Friars need to do to secure a home victory and stay atop the Big East.
Keys to the Game
Limit and Slow Down Kadary Richmond – These are the type of players where you realize why you brought in Garwey Dual. I’ve made the comp of Dual to Richmond to Mike, and he thought that was an affront to Dual’s ceiling. I’m hoping he has changed his mind on that opinion, as Richmond is playing like a First Team All-Big east player. Richmond has plus size at the guard position at 6’5. In the one game he played against Providence last year, he went off, scoring 28 points. Dual has the measurables to at least make life difficult for Richmond. If he can slow down Richmond, this Hall team is in trouble, as they go as he goes. Look for Dual and Carter to own this assignment defensively.
Revenge Game – A lot of the players on the current roster were thrown under the boss for their two game home skid last year against Xavier and Seton Hall. Little did we fans know all the turmoil in the background with the coaching staff which made focusing on the task at hand (winning ball games) harder than we all anticipated.
I’m hoping Devin Carter, Bryce Hopkins, Jayden Pierre, Corey Floyd Jr., etc. all take this game personally and come out playing with a chip on their shoulder. This Hall team plays with an edge, and this one does have the chance to potentially get a bit physical.
P.S. I included two articles we wrote after the Xavier and Seton Hall game. The writing was clearly on the wall that something big was going on behind the scenes, but most fans thought it was locker room in-fighting. It was clearly much more than that. If you are a masochist, the two articles below should help.
Get Hopkins Early Quality Touches – I’m hoping 2024 is the resurgence of Bryce Hopkins, All-American candidate. As we’ve discussed in past articles and podcasts, it is just as much on the shoulders of Kim English to set up Bryce for success. Thus, I’d like to see Hopkins get looks generated for him in the post and/or attacking downhill via a dribble drive. The last thing we at The Crier want to see early is Hopkins settling for perimeter shots. It would do wonders for him to see a few early shots go through the hoop.
Providence Defense Blueprint: Force the 3 – Seton Hall is last in the Big East in 3 point field goal percentage at 29.6%. Providence should focus on clogging the paint and forcing The Hall to beat them from deep. Kadary Richmond, specifically, is only shooting 10.5% from 3. Whomever is tasked with guarding Richmond should give him the option to shoot the deep perimeter shot rather than letting him drive and get into the paint where he can use his length and athleticism to score.
Providence Offense – Take Care of the Ball – Seton Hall is 2nd in the Big East in steals per game at 8.1 steals. They have 2 of the 3 leaders in conference in steals per game with Richmond #1 at 2.5 and Addae-Wusu at #3 at 1.8. Posh Alexander, for reference, is second.
Providence did a heck of a job handling the rock against Butler with only 7 turnovers. If they can keep turnovers to single digits, I do think the Friars should win this one comfortably.
Predictions
BOC: Providence has the defense to shut down a star in Richmond. Offensively, I’m waiting on this team to finally click, and it may be this game. I see a 79 – 68 Friar victory.
Crier: I’m still seething over the last game PC and Seton Hall squared off, a no show from the Friars. Feel like those who were apart of last year‘s late season contest will have vengeance on the mind. Seton Hall’s offense isn’t good enough in this one. PC 76 Hall 62.
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