Providence Searches for Answers as Creighton Comes to Town

Photo courtesy of Carl Rizzo at gameone_photography

With an 8-9 overall record and 1-5 mark in Big East play, to call these challenging times for Providence would be an understatement. On the heels of a 12-20 campaign a season ago, frustration is peaking in Friartown.

Perhaps most concerning for this season, Providence opened 5-5 through ten Big East games last year, before dropping nine of their final ten once the calendar flipped to February.

Last year’s blame was split among the fanbase. There was Bryce Hopkins sitting the final three months of the season, roster construction shortcomings via the portal, with some bad health luck mixed in.

Even the most optimistic fans saw this as a critical prove-it year, and the frustration of seeing recurring issues from a season ago is boiling over.

As has been mentioned ad nauseam, defensive struggles have been central to Providence’s issues for two years running. Through six conference games, PC ranks 10th in the league in Defensive Rating (points per 100 possessions) at 120.7 — a mark that’s better than just Butler (123.8). Connecticut is the only team with a rating under 100 in conference play, at 95.5.

Big East opponents are shooting 37.8% beyond the arc against Providence — an issue that has been well documented. While not talked about with the same level of fervor, the Friars aren’t turning teams over, and compound that problem by fouling at a high rate.

Conference foes are taking a league-high 25.5 free throw attempts against them, while PC’s steal percentage is 6.2% — lowest in the league. In other words, Providence is fouling at the highest rate in the Big East, but not putting pressure on opposing ball handlers.