2026 started with a glimmer of hope beating Bryce Hopkins and the Red Storm on the road, but since that game, it has been more of the same from 2025. Loss after loss. Providence is 8-9 on the season, 1-5 in Big East play, and the enthusiasm that has defined the PC fanbase for years has gone out the window, replaced by some combination of apathy, frustration, and anger.
Creighton comes marching into town led by Coach Greg McDermott, a coach I have nothing but effusive praise for. Creighton is 11-7 on the season, but has seemingly turned the corner after a tough start in non-conference. They are standing at 5-2 in Big East play, which is good for 4th in Big East play.
This Creighton team can best be described as deep and well-rounded with no true stand-out players like they had last year with Kalkbrenner and Ashworth. Iowa transfer Josh Dix leads the way offensively with 12.2 points, followed by four players each averaging at least 9 points per game. There is no one superstar, but there are 11 guys who average at least 12 minutes of playing time. It’s a collective team effort.
Below, I highlight what I’m looking to see from the Friars and point out a thing or two that Providence can do to finally win a home conference game (yes, it sickens me to have to write that).
Jaylin Sellers Carrying Over Second Half Effort on Both Ends
I’ll admit I have been tough on some of the players for dogging it on the defensive end at times. So, to be fair, I also have to commend players when I see them exuding maximum effort on the defensive end. That was Sellers in the 2nd half against Villanova.
He ratcheted up his defensive intensity a few levels above what we’ve been used to seeing, and I want to see him carry that over and do that for the entirety of the Creighton game. It is no surprise Providence almost made a comeback once one of their veteran players led by example with his defensive efforts.
Sellers is an alien athlete playing basketball, but sometimes he can coast in games and be too reliant on his athleticism. He needs to stay locked in for 40 minutes or those sloppy turnovers that we see at least once a game will continue to happen.
He’s built more like NFL strong safety than college basketball two guard, and he pairs those physical traits with incredible lateral quickness and leaping ability. If he can play with that edge and fire the rest of the way, the rest of Providence will follow his lead defensively.
I have no delusional thoughts of Providence making any type of run, but I do think they can dramatically improve as a team if they play with the defensive effort Sellers portrayed in the 2nd half against Nova. It’d be a step in the right direction, at least.
Attack the Rim and Stop Being So Reliant on the Three
Kalkbrenner isn’t walking onto the court at the AMP, and the Blue Jays are understandably missing Kalk’s rim protecting prowess. Creighton is currently second to last in Big East at 2.9 blocks/game, and they really don’t play with a lot of size.
Owen Freeman was supposed to be their big portal pick-up at the 5 to replace Kalk, but he’s been a “miss” due to injuries hampering him and taking longer to acclimate to a new system/school. Jasen Green at all of 6’8 is their most heavily utilized big man.
I say all this to point out that Providence and the staff are not utilizing the abilities of its players properly and should exploit the lack of size of Creighton. Sellers, Edwards, Vaaks, Jones, and Mela are all fantastic when playing downhill and trying to finish at and around the rim, but English’s offense is still too damn reliant on the three ball. You need to scrap your offensive philosophy and play to your player’s strengths, and I don’t think PC is doing that personally.
Against Villanova, Providence chucked up 25 3’s and only made 8, which equates to a 32% hit rate. Providence as a team went 55% from the floor, going 31-56. If you remove the three point shot from those numbers, Providence was SEVENTY FOUR % from the floor inside the three point line. Every mini-run Providence made in the second half was stomped out by an errant three point attempt by the Friars that crushed all positive momentum.
In the win against St. John’s, Providence only attempted 18 three’s. Just saying.
This isn’t some new revelation by the way. Providence is 2nd in the Big East shooting 47.9% from the floor.
I want to see Providence legitimately only attempt 15 or 16 three’s in this game against Creighton. Creighton doesn’t have a lot of size, and Providence needs to exploit this Every. Single. Possession. Attack, attack, attack.
If you want your team to play with more edge and fire, floating around the perimeter and heaving up three point attempts isn’t the way to go about doing it. Play through the chest of your opponent and let them know you are the more physical and athletic team. It’s the way forward.
Don’t Let Austin Swartz Get Hot– Similarly to the Friars Creighton did not have a non-conference that would exude confidence from the fanbase. The Jays were 5-5 entering Big East play with Oregon being their only victory against a high major opponent in six games. However the Jays have won 6 of their last 8 games and are off to a 5-2 start in the Big East. The biggest reason for the Jays stabilizing and potentially saving their season? The emergence of Austin Swartz.
The story of Austin Swartz this season is pretty incredible. He was a known but not super highly heralded recruit out of North Carolina and played his first year with the Miami Hurricanes where he only averaged 6 ppg on 37% shooting from the floor. With Friar alum Jim Larrañaga retiring as Miami’s head coach Swartz entered the portal and ended up in Omaha. In his first 6 games with the Jays he scored 8 points combined, in his last 11 games he’s averaging 17.3 ppg. Injuries gave him an opportunity and he’s seizing it while looking like a bonafide star in the Big East in the process.
Swartz is coming off a game where he torched Georgetown for 33 points on 12/16 from the floor. He’s shooting 42% from 3 so there should be no going under ball screens if he is the ball handler. Expect Jaylin Sellers to take the assignment. If Providence can contain Swartz it would give them a better chance at securing victory.
Status of Jason Edwards
Edwards was not on the initial injury report, but was ruled out of the game at the last minute due to plantar fasciitis. The details around the absence were peculiar, to say the least.
Let’s see if this is a one-game injury or if Edwards will be missing multiple games with this mysterious new injury.
Prediction
BOC: I can’t in good faith pick Providence given what they’ve shown of recent. I am beating a dead horse, but I do think this Providence team is far more talented than Creighton, but unfortunately I think McDermott is going to work his magic like he normally does. Creighton 83, Providence 80.
Crier: Creighton was really fortunate to beat Georgetown last Tuesday. They’ve been playing well but certainly have some glaring holes. Providence should attack these guys in the paint but also look to kick out to shooters from 3. You know Creighton is going to make their fair share of three pointers and you’re going to have to make some yourself to account for that. I actually see the Friars snapping their 3-game home skid and 3-game overall skid in this one. PC 88 Creighton 82