Friar Basketball Newsletter: A big matchup with the Hall awaits, Eric Murdock and Terry Dehere put on a show in '91, highlighting some unheralded Big East players, Nova's jump shot reliance, and more
While Providence hasn’t played since knocking off UConn on Dec. 18, there is still plenty to cover in this week’s newsletter.
After seeing their game against Georgetown on Dec. 22 postponed due to Covid-related issues within the Hoyas’ program, the Friars are scheduled to return to action on Wednesday night against Seton Hall. It’s going to be a big one, as both teams will be ranked in the AP top 25 heading into the game. Subscribers can read all about the Pirates’ 9-1 start to the season, which has included wins over Michigan and Texas. Kevin Willard’s club has benefitted from improved point guard play, frontcourt depth, and the outstanding performance of Jared Rhoden.
Without any Providence games to break down this week, we took a look back at a pair of great matchups between the Friars and Seton Hall. Back in 1991, two of the Big East’s all-time greats put on a show in the Meadowlands, as Eric Murdock of Providence and Seton Hall’s Terry Dehere went for 40 points and 37 points, respectively. In this article we look back on this incredible time in Murdock’s career, as he had just scored 45 points against Arizona and would go for 48 more versus Pittsburgh later that month. Seton Hall made the Elite Eight that season, two years after reaching the national title game. The article also looks at Seton Hall during that era, and how close they were to returning to the Final Four over the final three years of Dehere’s outstanding career.
The legendary Gil Santos was on the call when Murdock and Dehere put on a show.
We also take a look back at the last time Seton Hall visited the Dunkin Donuts Center. Alpha Diallo scored 35 points to lead an upset of #10 Seton Hall — and turned Providence’s season around in 2020. That win kicked off a six-game winning streak to close out Providence’s season before it was cut short due to the pandemic.
This week’s News and Notes column highlights a big week ahead for class of 2022 signee Jayden Pierre, as well as a spike in production from fellow ’22 signee Quante Berry of late. This article also looks into which Big East teams play at a slower pace versus those who want to get up and down the floor, just how much more Villanova is relying on jump shooting than the rest of the league, a nod to some PC-related podcasts, and more.
Lastly, we take a look at eight Big East players who may not have been grabbing headlines in the preseason, but have made a major impact through the first two months of the season.
We hope you enjoy this week’s content!