It has been a LONG offseason for Friar fans, arguably one of the longest in my time as a Friar fan. There was the dismissal of Kim English, which feels like eons ago, and the extensive coaching search that landed Bryan Hodgson. On top of that, Providence had to replace essentially the entire roster (thank you for your loyalty, Mr. Mela) and subsequently add via the transfer portal and high school recruiting an eye-popping double digit amount of new players. The cherry on top is the exhaustive legal process with Dink Pate, Joseph Pinion, and Derek Simpson (with the latter two still having their legal case ongoing).
I think I can speak on behalf of all Friar fans when I say this: It’s time to watch some Friar basketball.
The season opener is here, and the Providence Crier will have you covered via podcasts and written articles on all game previews, recaps, and analysis. I cannot wait to focus strictly on hoops and not have to opine on a ruling from a judge and if our coach’s seat is hot.
With all that said, here is what we are looking for in the season opener against the Maine Black Bears.
Maine Team Preview
8-24 last year
343rd overall on KenPom (PC, for reference, is 39)
Picked to finish second to last in America East
No players picked pre-season All Conference team
Health of Sabol and Vanterpool
Sabol and Vanterpool have been held out of the two public preseason exhibitions due to injury. Sabol seems to be further along in his recovery, but both injuries seem to be on the minor side of things when it comes to injury severity. I’m optimistic that both will play, but it wouldn’t shock me if Devin sits this one out to ensure he’s fully ready for the Nebraska game.
New Name and Faces
This seems like Journalism 101 and not exactly hard-hitting analysis, but I’m genuinely excited to see all the new players in action for the first time in a real game. Never have we had such extensive roster turnover, and I cannot wait to see how all the players physically look and how they play off each other. The rotations, who gets time and how much time, and what preconceived notions I had about the players being proven true or false is what I’m most looking forward to.
I can write an essay about what I want to see from each player, but I’ll keep it brief with a few players on what I’m looking for.
Miles Byrd: Is the defense as good as advertised? Can Hodgson unlock him offensively from what he historically showed at SDSU?
Javon Bardwell: Is he ready to play serious minutes a la Jamier Jones? Is the talent for the former 5 star too abundant to keep him on the bench?
Jacob Bannarbie: Am I hyping him too much? Can he become that first off the bench big for Arrinten Page?
Arrinten Page: Speaking of Page, can he show off in a live game with actual consequences what he has shown all preseason? There hasn’t been a player who has impressed more than Page this preseason.
Ryan Mela: Is the “improved jump shot” fool’s gold or is it here to stay? If so, watch out.
Malik Mack: How does he look running the Hodgson offense in a brand new system after being under a drastically different offense in Ed Cooley?
New Style of Play
Offensively, I’d imagine there are more similarities than differences in what Hodgson runs in comparison to Kim English. They both believed in the pace and space formula, with an emphasis on “analytically approved” shots (three’s and lay-ups). What I am hoping to see is movement off the ball in a half-court set. Too often, English’s offense relied upon the ball handler to create one on one, and the other four players were entirely stagnant. I’m hopeful we see back door cuts, fluidity with all five players, etc.
Defensively, any sign of a pulse on that end will be an improvement. I do agree with Billy Ricci’s assessment that offense may be initially hard to come by, so seeing Hodgson emphasize tough defense, diving for loose balls, and giving that extra effort will be so refreshing to see.
The AMP Attendance for Bryan Hodgson’s First Game
I think the place is going to be absolutely packed to the gills to show support to the Providence Friars and Coach Hodgson in his first game as lead man. In what should be a comfortable game for the Friars, I believe the resounding support will be eye-opening to Coach Hodgson when it truly hits him how special Friar basketball is to the PC Community.
I made the executive decision to drive up from Jersey to see his first game, and I cannot wait to be in person around fellow Friar fans. The interactions on social media are entertaining and fulfilling, but nothing beats being at the AMP in person watching the Friars.
If you are going to be in attendance, give us a shout as we’ll be having a few pints before the game tips off, and I’d love to see some familiar and new faces to say hello.
Score Predictions
Providence 91, Maine 63
Player Specific Predictions
6 Friars score in double digits as Hodgson basketball emphasizes the spreading of the wealth. A new era is upon us!
Go Friars!
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