After blowing a 21-point second half home lead to Georgetown, it would be expected that the Friars would get blasted in a trip to Storrs, CT to take on the #2 UConn Huskies. We at The Providence Crier didn’t think the team would be able to pick themselves off the mat and both of us predicted a loss that flirted with the 15.5 point spread. Instead the Friars came out, competed, and made UConn earn a 6-point victory for their 16th consecutive win.
Providence was led by strong games from Oswin Erhunmwunse, Jamier Jones and Jaylin Sellers but down the stretch PC turned it over and couldn’t get key stops or rebounds for what might’ve been the most shocking upset of the college basketball season.
Friars -21 on Perimeter– The Friars offensive game plan in this one was pretty clear. They were going to hunt matchups they liked and attack the rim the entire night. In the first half the Friars only attempted 3 three point shots, going 1/3. In the second half they attempted 11 and shot 4/11 from deep. UConn on the other hand against PC’s feeble three-point defense lit it up from deep connecting on 11/24 triples for the evening. BOC is all for the strategy of forgoing the three pointer and even got the backing from Jamal Mashburn at halftime. However I would’ve liked to see the Friars hunt a few more threes in this one. In their first meeting this season PC went 14/24 from deep against the Huskies. By only taking 14 in this one, plus their porous 3-pt defense, they allowed UConn to have a 21-point advantage from the perimeter.
Tarris Reed Keys Victory Over Friars- UConn’s center Tarris Reed was a handful for the Friars on Tuesday night. He finished with 19 points (8/9 FG), 6 rebounds and 4 blocks. His best trait for the Huskies might be his ability in the screen game. They certainly aren’t always legal but his screens created open three looks from UConn all night. It also doesn’t help when the Friars consistently go under screens and let guys bury threes.
How About Nil?!?!– Preferred walk-on turned scholarship player Nilavan Daniels made more than just a cameo in this one. With Corey Floyd Jr battling foul trouble and then probably a concussion given by Silas Demary, the St. Louis native played 16 minutes and gave the Friars a boost. He scored 7 points and was flying all over the court on defense. He did foul out in his 16 minutes, but should’ve provided the rest of the squad a lesson that if you give effort and pay attention to details on defense you can get stops.
What’s Next
The Friars are now 9-12 (2-8) on the season and have lost 6 of their last 7 games since stunning St. John’s at Madison Square Garden in early January. PC’s season continues on when they take of Villanova on Friday night in Philly.
Alfred Dinety- I am sick and tired of losing. Nobody cares how many points you lose by. It still goes in the loss column. The Friars played well for the most part but of course there was the signature turnover at the worst possible time. It is disheartening to watch a team with our talent keep losing. To tell the truth Karaban, Reed, Ball and company are just too much for most Big East teams to handle. True also, we have been playing without Edwards but they are playing without Mullins. They are the number two team in the country for a reason. Regardless, I predict they will be taken down by some team in the post season. Maybe we can win one on Friday at Nova. Go Friars!