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Friar Friday’s: Justin Minaya Commits to Providence, Jayden Epps Stock Skyrocketing, and New 2022 Offers

In case you missed it:

Justin Minaya Commitment Impact

2021 Transfer Article, Version 6 –

2022 Recruiting Primer

Friar Friday’s: High School and Transfer Recruiting Galore

In case you missed it:

PC 2021 Transfer Primer – Version 5:

PC 2022 Recruiting Primer – Version 2:

Friar Friday’s: Awaiting Roster Finalization

Revisiting 2020-2021 Bold Predictions

In the Summer of 2020, we made some bold predictions on the upcoming 2020-2021 basketball season. See here: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2020/07/01/bold-predictions-2020-2021-providence-friars/#more-2241

We analyze below where our predictions hit the mark and where we were terribly off. Let’s just say I was a more accurate prognosticator than the Crier himself.

Stars, in Fact, Do Matter: Analyzing the Final 4 Rosters Relative to Recruiting Rankings

With all of the Providence news transpiring this past week, I thought it may be refreshing to take a step away from Friartown and look at hoops from a national landscape. Below, I have analyzed the final 4 teams in college basketball and how they have shaped their respective rosters.

I warn those reading this that I am a huge advocate for “recruiting rankings matter”. See my two articles below discussing why I think landing these recruits are the primary reason a program succeeds or fails.

Looking Back on PC’s Recruiting Classes & Their College Output: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2021/01/06/why-stars-matter-a-look-back-on-recruiting-classes-showing-why-pc-must-continue-to-land-top-tier-national-recruits/

Providence’s Recruiting Classes Relative to the Rest of the Big East: https://theprovidencecrier.com/2021/01/15/providence-recruiting-a-comparative-analysis-to-the-rest-of-the-big-east/

It is my personal belief that the more players you land in the 4 and 5 star range, the more likely your team is to have success. Those arguing against this have openly said to me that culture and scheme fit matter more than star rankings. I agree, to an extent, but a lot of times this statement is made when your school lands an unheralded 3 star recruit. Fans naturally try to justify the recruit by leaning on the culture and scheme fit instead of simply stating we whiffed on our Plan A recruits. Rationalization is a curious thing. You rarely hear a fan talking about culture and scheme fit when a 4 or 5 star commits to a school, but I digress.

Additionally, if a 4 or 5 star doesn’t pan out on your team, fans claim that star rankings are broken because said player didn’t produce relative to their high school ranking. You can cherry pick examples like this all day long, but I’m of the belief that a squad filled with 4 and 5 stars is going to beat the squad with 3 stars nine out of ten times. There are more examples of 4/5 stars having success than there are of 4/5 stars completely flaming out.

In looking at the rosters of the final 4 teams, I’ve uncovered a few themes worth mentioning:

Friar Friday’s: Roster Movement Galore!

What a week for The Crier! Thanks to all for the support

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Noah Horchler Returns to Providence: Analyzing The Impact

There have been rumors of Noah Horchler returning to Providence, taking advantage of the “free” year the NCAA granted this past year due to COVID-19. Horchler made it official on Sunday, ensuring that Providence has one of, if not the, strongest frontcourt in the Big East. This news comes on top of Nate Watson returning to Friartown, which we wrote about extensively in the attached link (https://theprovidencecrier.com/2021/03/18/nate-watson-returns-for-year-5-thoughts-impact-to-2021-2022-friars/#more-3446).

Jayden Epps Decision Day: Analyzing the Competition

Decision day is here for 2022 combo guard Jayden Epps of Suffolk, VA. Epps, a consensus 4 star on all recruiting sites, is scheduled to pick his college at 12PM EST. Providence is squarely in the mix here, with the understanding the choosing will be between NC State, Florida, and the Friars. We’ve heard there are chances he may reclassify as well, joining the 2021 class of Legend Geeter and Rafael Castro. We analyze below the chances for each school and make a prediction based off what we have heard and believe.

Friar Friday’s: Nate Watson Returns, Monroe Transfers, Recruiting in Full Effect

In case you missed it:

Nate Watson Returns for Year 5: Thoughts & Impact to 2021-2022 Friars

Big man Nate Watson made a surprise return to PC, utilizing the free year of eligibility offered by the NCAA, to play his 5th year back in Providence. Nate Watson cited unfinished business, playing in the Dunk again, and improving his NBA draft stock as a few reasons for his return.

The importance of Watson’s return cannot be understated. Watson was a 2nd team All Big East big man, but averaged more points than Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who made first team All-Big East and was a Co-POY. Watson will return to the Big East as one of, if not the, best offensive big men in the nation.

Below, we analyze the impact of his return and offer some thoughts on improvements to Watson’s game to get him NBA ready.