Taking a look into Providence's offensive spike since a recent lineup change, and what the advanced numbers say about the Friars on both sides of the ball in Big East play
News and notes from around Friartown and the Big East…
1. It looks as though Kim English found something on the offensive end when he inserted Rich Barron into the starting lineup following Providence’s loss at Villanova.
The Friars are 4-1 since starting Barron, with the only loss coming at Butler when they played without Josh Oduro. That was a game the Friars led by seven with under five minutes to play on the road.
Offensively, PC has seen a spike in production during this five-game stretch. Providence’s Offensive Rating is 114.6, which would rank in the 87th percentile nationally if projected over the course of the season. The Friars’ Effective Field Goal Percentage through these five games is 53.4% — which would rank in the 86th percentile in the country.
Other numbers that stand out during this run?
PC’s Turnover Percentage is 12.5% (94th percentile in the country)
They are scoring 34.4 points in the paint per game (79th), putting up 79.6 points per game (90th), and averaging 15.4 assists (88th)
Providence is also letting it fly from deep (26.8 attempts per game/93rd percentile) and hitting at 38.1% (97th)
43.5% of their field goal attempts are from 3-point range — which ranks in the 89th percentile
Defensively, the Friars have dipped a bit. Their Defensive Rating is 109.1 (35th percentile) during this five-game stretch. A blazing hot shooting night from Creighton didn’t help matters. Their Defensive Rating in Big East games is still a solid 104.8 (good for in the 67th percentile nationally).
2. How has Barron, specifically, helped? The freshman ranks in the 92nd percentile in the country this season in spot-up opportunities.
For English’s offense to function the way it is designed, Providence simply has to have players who can knock it down when spotting up.
On the season, Providence ranks in the 42nd percentile nationally in spot-up opportunities, scoring .924 points per possession.
Playing Barron more minutes gives English four players who convert spot-up chances at a good clip. Their top four players when spotting up are:
Barron (92nd percentile nationally)
Jayden Pierre (87th)
Devin Carter (77th)
Ticket Gaines (55th)