Providence has expanded its bench during its strong Big East performance
Billy Ricci takes a look at how Providence's bench is making more of an impact as the season unfolds
You may need a Friartown IPA in-hand for what I am about to say.
Ed Cooley has expanded the rotation. A little more than half way into Big East conference play.
If you have followed the Providence Friars this past decade, chances are you have witnessed the calls to the bench thin as the season has carried on. And in most cases, it has been in PC’s favor considering our 83-38 record in games decided by 6 or less points since 2013-14. Cooley has always been a head coach who has “ridden with his core guys”, and certain lineups down the stretch in close games. People forget that LaDontae Henton is #1 all-time in career Big East minutes played and Bryce Cotton is #6.
So, why is Cooley changing the script and bumping minutes for Corey Floyd Jr. and Clif Moore even, with Jared Bynum having returned to the lineup? The answers are vastly different for both CFJ and Big Clif, in my opinion.
Let’s start with Corey Floyd Jr. Floyd is a legacy Friar, as many fans know, as Corey Floyd Sr. played for the Friars in ‘90-91 and ‘91-92. CFJ is, as the kids say these days “A Big Guard”, and is intriguing in many ways other than just his size and strength being just 19 years old. Floyd is a strong, but fluid, two hundred and ten pounds. At the beginning of the non-conference, I noticed Cooley would line him up for corner threes every time he checked into the game – and my first thought was why? With a frame like CFJ’s, shouldn’t he be taking smaller guys off the dribble and finishing strong at the cup? Well, if you watched the recent Butler win you would have all the proof you need to confirm CFJ is a confident and capable 3-point shooter. That pull-up three off a pass in transition from Devin Carter, or the kick-out from Noah Locke for the open corner three were both beautiful to watch. Confidence, great ball rotation and a swish on both shots.
I think the 247 high school evaluation from Jerry Meyer really sums up what CFJ can become for the Friars in years to come:
“Well built and physical guard. Has functional athleticism in traffic. Ideal playing off the ball as a shooter and slasher. Has a reliable shooting stroke. Can attack the basket and finish with either hand. Solid overall ball handler and passer. Rebounds his position well.”
What’s not to be excited for out of that paragraph? With kids playing college basketball at 23 and 24 years old nowadays, I am really looking forward to watching CFJ develop and become a two-way player who is an inside-out threat, and a nightmare for smaller guards. For this season, a timely three and some physical play would be extremely valuable from the transfer redshirt freshman.
Now for Clif Moore. Clif joined Kevin and I back in April shortly after his commitment on Episode 22 of the Friar Podcast, and man we were blown away by his professionalism. He was knowledgeable about the game, and had an overall winning aurora – that is how I would describe Moore off the court. On the court, his flashes of brilliance are no accident, including that thunderous dunk he had against Northeastern. Does PC win the URI game without him? I am honestly not sure. Moore has put in some great minutes that have gone underappreciated in Big East play as well, especially in both Butler games. Having both the size of a center, and the agility of a power forward, Moore can really contribute as Providence continues to match-up with tall, athletic teams.
I wanted to show some love to Jayden Pierre for a minute as well while we are on the topic of the bench. Pierre, although we have not seen too much scoring from him recently in Big East play, has been about as plug-and-play into the feel of Big East basketball as we could have hoped for. It’s no secret Ed Cooley loves playing upperclassman, especially down the stretch in Big East play, but Pierre has still managed to have double digit minutes in three of the last five games. His poise when things weren’t going well in the TCU game is something I will remember from this season, as well as how well he has shot the three ball when given the opportunity in his freshman campaign. You were right, Kevin…
And lastly there is Rafael Castro. He may be the most fluid 6’11 guy to suit up for the Friars in recent memory, and with the logjam for playing time I am excited to see what he can provide for PC next year. During the exhibition games, he ran a couple plays like an NBA point forward, will that translate to Big East play – time will tell.