To make matters worse after the thumping by the Wisconsin Badgers is a match-up against a pissed off Florida Gator squad. You know, the defending National Champions. Florida is in the third place match-up against the Friars after a surprise loss to the TCU Horned Frogs. Not an ideal match-up for a struggling Friar team.
I always try to chart a path to victory for my Friars, but I don’t see a realistic path to a win today. It is a combination of Florida having superior talent, advantages where we are weakest (frontcourt size), Florida playing with an edge, and Providence looking completely listless against Wisconsin. You add all those things up, and it’d take a minor miracle to get a victory today. More realistically, we are looking at a bloodbath before limping home from San Diego.
I can live with a loss against a better squad, which I believe Wisconsin objectively is. What I can’t accept is a team losing to a better squad, but also getting outworked and outhustled throughout the duration of the game. That’s what happened last night. Wisconsin won every 50/50 ball, played with more urgency, and flat out wanted the game more. That may be what had me most furious about the outcome last night. That’s a culture problem, which we’ve been critiquing for the better part of 2 seasons now.
If nothing else, I want Providence to show they care against this Gator squad. Providence alums and fans spend a pretty penny traveling to see the Friars across the country only for them to put in minimal effort and get boat-raced on Thanksgiving, again.
This fanbase is an elite one. Ask any national media member, and they will routinely put Providence fans at Top 10 in the country. At some point, continuing to roll out a subpar product is going to lead to apathy by the Providence faithful, and I’m fearing we are getting close to that scenario playing out.
This team doesn’t have a talent issue. They have a coaching and gameplan/strategy issue. Jason Edwards led Vanderbilt to an NCAA birth in the SEC. Jaylin Sellers averaged 14 points in the Big 12. Oswin is going to be one of the best bigs in the Big East all season long. Stefan Vaaks (and potentially Jamier Jones) are likely going to be in the NBA before their basketball careers are over. The talent is there. At some point, Kim is going to lose the locker room (similar to last year) if he doesn’t put his players in a better position for success.
Without having the time to do a deep scout on Florida, here is what I’m looking for from the Friars.
- Effort – It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to play against the defending national champions. Lackadaisical effort is too often a theme with this squad, especially on defense. I don’t care if a Jamier or Floyd Jr. or Sellers gets a technical for playing with too much of an edge and showing aggression. These players need to show they care enough about the outcome of the game. Have some pride in your craft and don’t let Florida waltz to a victory. Make ’em earn it.
- Offensive Strategy – Our offense can’t be chucking 3’s with 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock or dribbling around the perimeter begging a player to make a play. Run set plays and show some semblance of an offensive plan. Is that too much to ask?
- Gang Rebound – If you thought Wisconsin had a massive size advantage against us in the frontcourt, just wait until you see Florida’s frontcourt. We need to see all 5 players on the court attack the glass with a ferocity that makes the fanbase proud. Again, Florida is the superior team, but make them earn this victory.
Prediction
BOC: I don’t see this one going well for the Friars. This weekend is going to be a tough one in Friartown. Florida 88 – Providence 72.
Crier: Told ya Florida was gettable, unfortunately I just don’t think they will be for PC today. If the Friars want to have a chance in this one the guards really have to come to play. Brock Harding was able to control the game against the Gators. Their perimeter defense both from the bigs and guards seem susceptible to allowing dribble penetration. PC’s guards also need to rebound and the team needs not to get destroyed on the glass. I think PC will play better but it won’t be enough UF 86 PC 78.