2017-18 Providence College Hoops: Great Expectations?

CouchsideSteve

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Apr 16, 2013
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For rooting interests tonight through Sunday, no conference tournament upsets would obviously be a good start, but for something a bit more granular check out this link posted upthread. Tonight our biggest need is Wake over Syracuse (not looking good with ~15min to play); tomorrow we're big UMass fans, hoping against hope that the Group 4 loss gets bumped up to a Group 3 loss by virtue of UMass improving its RPI.

The more info I consume, the more concerned I am that a loss to Creighton on Thu could have the Friars on the outside looking in for even Dayton. It's all conjecture at this point, but the lack of road wins, plus the home loss to DePaul and aforementioned road loss @ UMass are real blights on the resume.

Unrelated to tournament prospects, it's noteworthy that all conference honors were announced, with Cartwright and Bullock slipping from second team (both last season & pre-season) to honorable mention and off the list, respectively. That isn't to say they were deserving (they weren't), but it is impressive that Cooley squeezed yet another winning conference record out of this group, with all three of the senior leaders arguably taking a step back. Not to be overlooked: Nate Watson was honored on the all-freshman team, which was deserved; he's really turned it on over the second half of the conference slate, flashing impressive shot-blocking instincts and inside scoring touch.
 

moretsyndrome

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Agreed on Watson. He's incredibly raw, but when he flashes he can change a game. That little run he went on Saturday against the Johnnies early in the 2nd half was a huge lift.

I'm not sure if it's just scar tissue from some of the '90s teams that got screwed out of the tourney, or the fact that if anything were to come down to a decision between UCLA, Syracuse or PC, PC is going to get hosed, but I'd breathe a lot easier if they could take Creighton down as well.
 

CouchsideSteve

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Execution was lacking in certain facets, but that was the gritty, gutsy performance we’ve been looking for from the seniors all season. Kids played their asses off, and I loved Cooley showing a new wrinkle with Maliek starting and sticking to the small ball. (Bullock’s D at the 5 was outstanding all game long.)

The shot Cartwright hit up 2 under 1min in OT was an incredible shot, weight of the team on his shoulders.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Alpha Dog Diallo gets my game ball tonight. He was unstoppable in the paint during that second half.
 

thehitcat

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EFF YEAH 8-0 run plus the and one to come all keyed by the kid from St. Peter Marian...and damn hit your free throws... Make that 20-7 and they've cut it to 4 and they're in the bonus. Great move by Cooley to put them in the match up zone.
 
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Mloaf71

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For all their flaws and ups and downs this team has balls and never gives up
 

shawnrbu

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Playing so much better in the 2nd Half. Cooley's halftime adjustments paying dividends.

Hope the 3 points on the phantom foul before the end of the 1st Half don't end up being a difference maker.
 

johnmd20

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Any game with Gus Johnson announcing is a great game. A great game with Gus announcing? An epic game.

Finish strong Friars.
 

Mloaf71

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Loving this run. If that phantom three haunts them that will be two phantom calls in BETs that kill them.
 

Mloaf71

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I’m calling it. Jalen for three and the win coming up
 

NoLastCall125

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Unreal. Coming back reminded me of when they beat Syracuse in OT after being down 17 and Austin Croshere went off in the 1995 Big East Tournament. What a fun win.
 

Mloaf71

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What kind of seed are the Friars looking at now. Would love to avoid 8/9 and the number 1 seed staring them in the face.
 

CouchsideSteve

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Cartwright played 84min over two days, with at least 35 more on deck tomorrow night. He made some absolutely incredible shots in the second half, not to mention taking two humongous charges. Bullock’s block on Macura as time expired was also amazing.

Not to mention, two Freshman sparked the second half comeback, and Isaiah Jackson continues to do nothing but make smart decisions with the ball. This team is right where they’re supposed to be... what an effort!
 

pdaj

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Quite obvious, most likely, that last night’s win, for me, was the most fun of the season. What a comeback! Up to that point, the majority of PC’s big wins coincided with strong outside shooting. Last night? Not so much.

Here’s hoping that they have enough gas (or adrenaline) in the tank to make tonight’s contest interesting. If they’re in the game with 5 minutes left to play, I’ll be happy.
 

CouchsideSteve

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I think they’ve played their way to a 9-seed, which I’ll grant is less desirable than a 10 or 11, but it’s a good problem to have. Plus, the Friars are 3-2 against likely 1 seeds so far this season. Given all of the parity we’re seeing, flip a coin as to whether PC matches up better versus the likes of Kansas or UVA (for example).

My expectations for tonight are super low. The guys have to be absolutely gassed. I’d like to see Cooley go with outside the box lineups tonight: Mix in 3 small guard sets, test the waters with Watson inside, and try zone D to force Nova to stay hot shooting for a third night in a row.
 

pdaj

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It looks as thought the starting 5 with Watson/Lindsey/Bullock/Diallo/Cartwright. I'd like to see Jackson, Malik as the 1st 2 off the bench, with White getting looks only at the 2, as a shooter.

3 games in 3 days is a tough task, but these guys are in the best shape of their lives.

My expectations are low, also, but I'm hoping for more of the impossible.
 

Deathofthebambino

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Huge 3 by Bullock to stop the bleeding after Nova jumped out 21-11. Consecutive buckets since then, and it's now 21-18, and Nova took a timeout. Can't let these guys get out to a big lead. Awfully hard to make a big run against a defense as strong as theirs.
 

Mloaf71

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Great first half. If PC could hit a 3 they’d likely be winning.
 

johnmd20

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Villanova is playing like a championship team and Providence is hanging in there a little bit. That is confidence inducing.