PC's Blueprint for Success Versus the Blue Demons
Billy Ricci on the victory over DePaul, keys moving forward, Seton Hall's impressive play, and more
Friar Family,
100 points, huh? It’s not too often we see triple digits go up on the scoreboard, or a 38-point margin of victory in Big East play. The last time the Friars dabbled in a 100-points against a conference opponent in regulation, they lost to Seton Hall 109-106 in the Big East tournament in 2010. That was a little bit of a different atmosphere than Wednesday night’s crowd of 2,889 fans at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. For a program that has had players like Rod Strickland, Wilson Chandler and Quentin Richardson come through it’s doors, and one that still continues to put pros in the league like Paul Reed, Max Strus and Javon Freeman-Liberty, DePaul is as head-scratching of a program as you will find in college basketball.
But we’re here to talk some Friars! The blueprint against the Blue Demons for the supporting cast around Devin Carter and Josh Oduro couldn’t have been executed better in Wednesday night's game. Watching Rafael Castro run the floor, Garwey Dual find some success shooting the ball and Rich Barron putting up 12 points in his hometown, was beyond satisfying to watch after the four straight losses since Bryce Hopkins’ injury.
For me, and hopefully many others reading this, it’s clear Jayden Pierre needs to be that third option scoring the basketball. His three point stroke has looked much more sound and reminiscent of last year and the early season this year, rather than what we saw when he returned from injury. Pierre’s last four games of 10, 17,10 and 14 points, coupled in with 4-5 assists per game, and most importantly, three games with only one turnover, has me excited at a breakout opportunity for the young point guard. I asked Kim English at the St. John’s post game presser if Pierre “grew up tonight” after going 7-15 from the field at the Garden. Before English answered the question his smile alluded to the growth Pierre has shown in recent games.
Oduro had an efficient night against DePaul with 17 points in just 17 minutes. His path for success moving forward the rest of the season doesn’t necessarily have to exceed 30 minutes on the floor. Coach English did mention Oduro having problems with his ankles in recent games, and down the stretch in those losses something had seemed off with the Friar big man. I still enjoy watching Oduro work in the post, but also believe a more balanced attack is important to keep the guards shooting well in the close games PC will likely continue to find themselves in. I’m looking forward to another big night for Oduro against the Hall on Wednesday.
Castro and Barron did not disappoint for the Friars in pouring in 12 points apiece, and carrying a large part of what PC needs from the bench from an efficiency standpoint to win games moving forward. The 5-6 and 4-5 shooting efforts from the field, on top of eight rebounds and 2-2 from three from Castro and Barron, would have been the difference from PC losing four straight to at least going 2-2.
Joe Lunardi, just a day ago, ranked Providence as one of “the last four out” for the NCAA Tournament, and I don’t know if it was the 38-point win or Carter’s continued ascension towards 20 points a game that has me somewhat optimistic PC can turn this around, but here are my thoughts on what the Friars need to do to make the tournament:
Reclaim their defense identity. Much of this has to do with offense as well, as there is a certain type of confidence you return to the defensive side of the ball when shots are going down. It all starts out on the perimeter. Providence is still long and athletic enough to stop opposing guards from creating their shot and shooting well from three.
Free Throws. In games against UCONN, Creighton, Seton Hall and even struggling Marquette, the margin of error is low. Being last in the Big East in free throws is simply not helping the Friars to get back on track.
Getting solid minutes from Barron and Castro, specifically because of Barron’s ability to hit threes and Castro taking much-needed minutes in place of Oduro. Corey Floyd Jr. showed some great signs of improving against DePaul, but until we see more consistency from Floyd and Ticket Gaines from outside, I want to see more Rich Barron from 3!
Before I conclude here, I did shout out Seton Hall preseason that I thought they were flying under the radar, and man has this group of seniors been impressive. They remind me of the 2021-22 Friars with a bunch of guys all on the same page just looking to win. There isn’t an ounce of ego on this Seton Hall Pirates team, and their balanced scoring attack has continued to shine as Big East play has gone along. Still, they are very beatable, and it all starts with a rematch of Kadary Richmond versus Devin Carter. It’s time to get back into the tourney conversation in Newark, Friartown!