Providence Returns Home With Momentum — and Its Biggest Test Yet in UConn
Fresh off their biggest victory of the past two seasons — a 77-71 comeback win over St. John’s at Madison Square Garden — Providence returns to the Amica Mutual Pavilion with a lot more pop in its step.
Following a 15-day layoff, the Friars put on their best defensive performance of the season against the Johnnies, and saw a pair of freshmen — Stefan Vaaks and Big East rookie of the week Jamier Jones — make critical plays down the stretch in a nail-biter.
It doesn’t get any easier on Wednesday night, as Providence hosts Dan Hurley and surging Connecticut.
Once again, the Huskies have put together quite the résumé this season:
A 14-1 record overall with wins over Illinois, Kansas, Texas, BYU, and Florida
A 4-0 mark in Big East play — with no conference opponent getting any closer than 16 points (UConn beat Marquette, 73-57, on Sunday after leading by 20+ in the second half).
A vastly improved defense: They are currently third in the nation in defensive efficiency after being ranked 75th a year ago. Dan Hurley vowed to take a big step forward on that end of the floor, and with size across the board, the Huskies are sixth nationally defending inside the arc, third against the 3-point shot, and are fifth in block percentage. The 61.2 points per game they allow is the fourth-best mark in the country, while the 8.9 assists they surrender is second.
There are a number of keys to UConn’s success this season. In addition to upgrading their defense, Hurley has the length at point guard he desires in Georgia transfer Silas Demary Jr. The junior guard leads the Big East in assists (5.7) while adding 9.1 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Backup PG Malachi Smith is a veteran who really gets after it defensively.
Connecticut brought in two McDonald’s All Americans this year (the first time UConn has done so since 2000) and both are contributing at a high level. Braylon Mullins missed time earlier in the year, but he can really shoot it, while seven-footer Eric Riebe pairs with Tarris Reed Jr. to give Hurley yet another two-headed monster in the middle. In just 17 minutes, the freshman Riebe is averaging 8.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, while Mullins scores 9.9 a night.
Perhaps most significantly, Hurley has found an ideal balance of retention and newcomer impact. Alex Karaban (13.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG) has played more games at one school than any current high-major player in the country. He’s a two-time national champion whose 3-point percentage is up (41%) following a down year.
Solo Ball (15.6 PPG) is an outstanding shooting guard in his third year with the program, while wings Jaylin Stewart and Jayden Ross came in with Ball and provide length, athleticism, and shooting range.
Reed Jr. figures to be a significant challenge for Providence. He had a career night at the AMP last season (24 points, 18 rebounds, six blocks), and certainly saw what Zuby Ejiofor was able to accomplish against the Friars on Saturday.
UConn vs. Providence Since Returning to the Big East
Providence won three of the first four contests with UConn after the Huskies returned to the Big East. Two of the more notable wins included a victory in UConn’s first home game back as a Big East club, and a year later PC took out #4 Connecticut behind 27 points from Bryce Hopkins.
But as has been the case against virtually everyone over the past three and a half years, UConn has dominated since then. They’ve won six straight games against PC, including regular-season sweeps the past two years. The Friars have actually played them tougher on the road than at home during that time, but they’ll look to ride the momentum of their win in New York into Wednesday night.
Providence is enjoying a great season from UCF transfer Jaylin Sellers. The graduate guard is averaging 16.0 points and 4.4 rebounds a night on outstanding shooting splits: 46% from the field, 92% at the free throw line, and 42% from three on 5.1 attempts per game.
Of course, if Providence is going to upset UConn on Wednesday night, it’s going to take a full team effort. On Saturday, this group showed that it has plenty of fight left — and they’ll need everyone against the red-hot Huskies.
What an absolutely soul crushing loss. Up 9 with 2:40 to go you have to almost try to give that one away. Turnovers, silly fouls, missed free throws, a crazy dumb pace of play. Brutal defeat that should have never happened.
Coach Kim is going to have to play Powell & Hargrove more vs the big offensive guys from U-Conn. If these guys step up you can play a slower game and keep the score between 65-70 points.