Earlier today I post a little something on Facebook asking you all what article you’d like to see – a Cincy recap, a postseason discussion, or a reflection on one particular player.
Thankfully, you guys picked the postseason article. Because God knows deep down I was going to do everything in my power to avoid doing a Cincy recap.
So, you asked for it, now you got it! Hit the jump and let’s talk about the Friars in the postseason!
HAPPY SUNDAY MORNING FRIARTOWN,
This has been 11 days far too long in between us last talking, so welcome back.
Thursday night proved to be yet another pivotal moment for this young, Friars team, a team decimated by injuries, and with so much uncertainty in the air, no one knew how they were going to perform. Would Bryce Cotton play? Would Kris Dunn play? When is Vincent Council coming back? This was the build up to the game the other night, in addition to, “We can’t wait for the transfers and future recruits,” a similar statement in both Providence and Kingston on that night.
However, to pretend this game just didn’t matter, that would be a grave injustice to both the players and coaches on both sides of the ball. When I wrote to you two Sunday’s ago, I wrote that one of the things I loved about Ed Cooley was that he held everyone accountable and didn’t make excuses. This is yet another example, that he is getting these guys in the best position to win, despite not having the depth or talent to compete, but he continues to work his magic, each and every game, hoping to get the players, coaches, and fans the results they deserve. Hopefully soon, some will appreciate that.
For now, let’s get to the Crunch …
All the notable news, links, pictures, and video in and around Friartown and college basketball all in one digestible, tasty place
Well done, students.
Next year the PC / URI clash at the Ryan Center is going to be a national story. Great, now the whole country will see the Friars beat the Rams for the 4th time in a row!
Bryce Cotton quote via Woonsocket Call
“Coach, I’ll give whatever I can today. We’ve got to try and get us a win to get to the finish line”
I LOVE ICE COTTON
Game Recaps: ESPN (AP), Friars.com, GoLocalProv, Sun Chronicle, Pawtucket Times, Friar Basketball, Rhody Rampage
Kris Dunn is officially scheduled to play on December 18th according to his father. I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL THE COLGATE GAME. That has to be the first time anyone has uttered those words.
Providence College 72, University of Rhode Island 57. All is good in Friartown.
Last night’s win over URI was a great microcosm of the progress this Friar program has made under Ed Cooley. Undermanned and clearly bothered by URI’s defensive pressure, Providence nursed a one point lead at halftime but rather than just hoping to hang in there and play the game down to the last five minutes or, worse yet, getting run out of the gym in the second half, the Friars held firm on defense and figured out how to get their best healthy players, Kadeem Batts and LaDontae Henton, in position to score. They brought the energy, built a lead and closed the game out.
Check out the video recap and highlights of the Friars’ win over URI from Cox Sports.
The Providence Friars defeated URI 72-57 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center tonight. LaDontae Henton had a crazy 21/17 double-double, and Kadeem Batts put in another great offensive game with a game high 23 points. They both joined Ed Cooley in the post game press conference, which you can listen to below.
The season so far has been littered with adversity, so what’s one more game that happens to be against an in-state rival? We’re used to this, Friartown. Ed Cooley’s Fightin’ Friars just have to survive this one last game before the semester break to get a much needed two week vacation. Given the situation (despite who the opponents have been), it’s impressive that PC has a chance to go 7-2 as they wait to get Sidiki Johnson and Kris Dunn back for the 2nd semester. Tonight, they will face the Danny Hurley led Rams for the first time in the rivalry.
UPDATE: Kris Dunn is definitely not playing according to Kevin McNamara and Gavin Keefe. Bryce Cotton looks like he will give it a go.
WHAT TO: KNOW
Game Time: 7:00 PM
Opponent: Rhode Island (2-6)
Location: The Dunk
Spread: Providence -6
Ken Pom: Providence: #74, Rhode Island: #217
TeamRankings.com Projection: Providence 69.7, URI 62.8
Four Factors
In prep for tomorrow’s big rivalry game against URI, I exchanged some questions with Dave Ascoli who runs the URI Blog “Rhody Rampage“. Stay tuned for my answers to his questions on Thursday.
Friarblog: In one word, describe the Jim Baron era at URI.
Rhody Rampage: Interminable.
Friarblog: Speaking of Jim Baron vs. new head coach Danny Hurley. What’s been the most significant between the two so far?
Rhody Rampage: Organization. I wasn’t as big of a Baron hater as most Rhody fans (not a Baron lover either), but Baron’s basic MO was to recruit raw athletes and have them run on offense and press on defense. Ram fans soon realized that he did this to sort of mask that he couldn’t coach a half-court offense or a half-court defense, which led to a very hectic brand of basketball. Hurley is more organized, they’re getting into offensive and defensive sets, running plays, ball screens, pick n rolls, you name it. Might be a little more boring to the casual fan, but it’s also a whole lot less frustrating.
Friarblog: In 2009, The Rams beat a young Friars team (that would eventually go 11-19) at the Ryan Center. Although URI was favored by 5 and half points, the fans decided to storm the court. How did you feel about that?
The battles on the court between Providence and URI have always been tough, and now it looks like Ed Cooley is going to have his hands full on the recruiting trail against Dan Hurley. Hurley and the Rams just picked up a big commitment from a Top 100 shooting guard in E.C. Matthews from Michigan.
PC staff was in Michigan to see Matthews on the first day of the contact period a few weeks ago, although it was not clear of there was ever an offer extended.
Hurley and Cooley are also two of three finalists for 2013 forward Hassan Martin. Be sure to check out the 2013 Recruiting Board for the Friars now that Matthews is off the board.
Oh, and thanks E.C. Matthews for retweeting my “crap” reaction to the news. Way to rub it in, dude.
