Bynum Steps on the Gas and Clifton Moore Shows Off His Game as Providence Runs Away from Northeastern
It’s not unfair to say that without Clifton Moore, Providence likely isn’t 2-0 to start the 2022-23 campaign.
The graduate transfer provided a huge lift in a 66-65 season-opening win over Rider with eight points and four blocks. Even more telling, PC was a +13 in the 18 minutes in which he was on the floor. Only two others Friars had a positive plus-minus against in the opener — Bryce Hopkins with a +5 and Devin Carter’s +3.
On a Friar team that has sprung some leaks in terms of containing the ball and getting out to shooters, Moore helped erase some mistakes in the season debut — and showed why he could be this program’s best rim protector since Carson Desrosiers graduated in 2015. His 2.8 blocks per game ranked 13th in the nation last year.
In terms of easing his way into the lineup, Moore is in a bit of an ideal spot backing up Ed Croswell at the five. Yet, on Saturday night against Northeastern, with Croswell sidelined for a bit after injuring his fingers, Moore provided quite a lift with 15 points on 6-8 shooting from the field in Providence’s 89-65 win.
What stood out in watching La Salle’s games a season ago was the versatility of Moore’s game. He can face up, drew fouls frequently off the bounce, and had a back to the basket game. The question for him this season will be how often we see glimpses of his full game as he transitions from the Explorers’ top scorer to a piece of the puzzle in Providence.
On Saturday, Moore flashed that versatility — knocking down his only three point attempt of the game, drawing a defender and exploding to the rim for a one-handed dunk as Providence began surging in the second half, and finishing inside on hooks and short jumpers.
The only shots he missed in his 21 minutes were both blocked.
Moore added a pair of blocks and a steal in what was a very encouraging early outing for the 6’10 center.
“He’s a fifth year person, been in a lot of high level games,” Ed Cooley said of his newest addition at center earlier this week.
Moore was particularly big in the first half, with nine points, four rebounds, two steals, and a block as the Friars took just a two-point advantage into the locker room.
He looked a bit out of sorts in the exhibition portion of the schedule, but once the lights turned on for real Moore has had a big impact in each of PC’s victories to start the season.
Jared Bynum will have a lot on his plate, especially early in the season as he balances being this team’s go-to scorer with learning where his teammates are most effective.
He never really got into a rhythm against Rider (1-9 from the field, 0-4 from three), but he went into takeover mode in the second half against Northeastern.
Providence actually trailed this one early in the second half before Bynum went off, shooting 6-7 from the field, 2-2 from three, 2-2 at the free throw line, and scoring 16 points to go along with six assists in the second half. After missing a layup early in the second half, Bynum made six consecutive shots to close it out.
He finished with 21 points, nine assists, two blocks, and two steals in a big time bounce back game.
The athleticism of Devin Carter and Bryce Hopkins is going to stand out this season. Carter’s athleticism is apparent when he does things like this:
Beside his vertical, Carter is just a wiry strong defender and driver who has tremendous lateral quickness and end-to-end speed. Combined with his seemingly endless energy, he is an exhausting matchup.
Then there’s Hopkins, who possesses an explosive first step, patented spin move, and brute strength when taking the ball to the rim. Hopkins wastes little time in going into attack mode from 15 feet and in.
He drew a whopping eight fouls in the season opener against Rider (leading to 16 free throw attempts), then recorded an 11 rebound, 10 point double double on Saturday.
He takes the ball to the rim with a force perhaps not seen around here since Jamine “Greedy” Peterson emerged for PC in 2011.
Maybe most encouraging for Friar fans, Hopkins has produced despite seeming a little out of sorts after having played so sparingly at Kentucky last year.
“Awful. We’ve got a long way to go to guard the ball.”
Those were Cooley’s words when asked to assess the state of his defense. He softened his stance a bit upon further reflection, but it’s apparent Cooley knows his team has a long way to go to start defending the way he wants.
“I’m not going to use the word awful, I think that’s a little harsh, but we’ve got a long way to go before we become a better, elite defense. You’re not going to win games in the Big East, or the non-conference, or to be a tournament team if we’re giving up blow-bys, uncontested threes. That’s back-to-back games in which we’ve given up nine threes.”
The crowd at the AMP was tremendous for a mid-November game against a mid-major opponent.