Hovering around .500, can Providence close strong over the final month and a half?

Read Billy Ricci's latest on the Friars following a tough loss to Villanova

Friar Family,

I, like you, on January 20th sit here confused on how we should feel about our beloved Friars. At 9-10 overall (3-5 in Big East) it is easier to look from a glass half empty view as PC heads into their bye week. Injuries, close losses, lack of execution for long stretches, and depth that has made Kim English’s job a little bit tougher rather than easier have been the main storylines. But, what we saw on Friday night against Villanova was a team down three starters that almost pulled off a huge road win against a team in the top five in the country in three-point percentage and around the top ten in offensive efficiency.

When the Friars secured wins against Butler and Seton Hall earlier this month, there was a sense of thankfulness that things weren’t spiraling even though the 2024-25 season thus far has been disappointing. Butler has two All-Big East players in Jahmyl Telfort and Pierre Brooks, and feel like they could still take a step forward this season. In Seton Hall’s case, questions surround their ability to compete in the Big East from an NIL perspective going forward.

For the Friars, their current situation has been continuously defined by the Bryce Hopkins re-injury. During Friday night’s game against Nova, was I the only one thinking (minus the lack of a backup big, but thanks to the growth of freshmen Ryan Mela and Oswin Erhunmwunse) the supporting cast has started to look more comfortable in Kim English’s offensive system? With the emergence of Oswin, Mela, some veterans and, most recently Justyn Fernandez, one has to see what pieces of what English’s vision was offensively for this group.

With Mela and Erhunmwunse, their growth has been exponential in half a season. Mela, in his past five games, is at about 49% from the field while also averaging nine rebounds. Erhunmwunse is averaging 8 rebounds and just about 3.5 blocks per game.

Justyn Fernandez’s first start for the Friars was impressive, to say the least. His confidence shooting the ball was a pleasant surprise, but really his ability to execute being out of the rotation for so long had me, and probably many others, wondering how he has not played more this season.

Fernandez’s 6-13 shooting from the field and 5-10 from three made a statement that he is in-line for more playing time going forward. Joseph continued to show his role on this Friar team as an “unsung hero” with another huge 20 points on 50% from the floor and 57% from three. Joseph is having a sneaky-good season from an efficiency perspective, at 43% from the field and 39% from three.

Providence has gotten a real lift from Corey Floyd Jr. of late. His work in the paint has been incredible the past five games. His floaters and work getting to the rim have almost felt automatic. For a team in need of consistent scoring outside of the three-point line, I am excited to continue to watch Floyd take more steps forward as we continue forward in Big East play.

I hope we see PC do more around the rim, as Oswin’s ability to finish around the rim improves and Mela provides sound and in-control attempts around the rim. It seems this Friar team (that is averaging around 58% near the cup) can improve on that efficiency. Can the high-flying Fernandez become another downhill threat for them?

Despite narrow losses to Oklahoma, the Bonnies, St. Johns and now Nova, I love the fact the Friars are playing hard right now. Yes, the execution at the end of the Nova game certainly could have been better, but really for much of that game they held one of the better scorers in the country, and one of the better three-point shooting teams, to well below their averages.

And now we are on to the Georgetown game, where I know the team will benefit from a great crowd behind them. How they finish this season will largely contribute to how they begin the 2025-26, so here’s hoping for a strong final month and a half of this season.