Key Takeaways from Ed Cooley following Providence's 106-69 exhibition win over Assumption
"Their best is yet to come… these two are going to be studs defensively.”
There can be a challenge in coming away with takeaways when Providence overwhelms an opponent in the manner in which they did against Assumption in Saturday’s 106-69 victory.
PC scored on its first seven possessions, held a 50-20 advantage on the glass, and Jared Bynum stepped on the gas early in the second half by scoring on four of the first five Friar baskets out of the half to lead a 24-6 surge that put this one away.
Perhaps the biggest takeaway on the offensive end from the exhibition season is that the Friars simply have more people who can make plays with the ball in their hands, “I told our men I was impressed with our ball movement,” Ed Cooley said following the win.
“I thought we had high percentage shots in transition. We definitely tried to pick up our pace. That’s what we worked on this summer. That’s what we worked on this preseason. This is the most ball handlers on a team that I’ve had that can make the right decisions. That is clear as day. Stevie Wonder could see that we’ve improved our ball handling and decision making.”
Okay, so apparently, Cooley agrees.
Bryce Hopkins finished off his impressive exhibition season, finishing with 17 points and six rebounds, while shooting 3-3 from beyond the arc in the first half. Fifteen of his points came in the first half.
Ed Croswell was simply too much on the interior for Assumption, leading Providence with 18 points and eight rebounds on a perfect 7-7 shooting night from the floor.
Bynum took just six shots, but provided a glimpse into what could be ahead when he caught fire early in the second half when Assumption was still within shouting distance. One of the things that pleased Cooley was his team’s ability to get some separation after Assumption stayed somewhat close (16 down) early in the second half. Bynum sent an early message by pulling up from distance and putting distance between these two clubs.
Overall, Cooley seemed pleased with where his club stands at this early juncture. Here are six takeaways from him following the team’s final exhibition game: