The Shortcomings of Providence's Roster Were on Display Against Seton Hall

As Kentucky closed out its 78–66 win over St. John’s on Saturday, Jaland Lowe buried a late three that prompted Bill Raftery to crack, “All of a sudden, I can coach!” — a nod to what Mark Pope’s offense looks like when its point guard is available.

Kentucky has sputtered for much of the season without Lowe, who has missed significant time with a shoulder injury. But he steadied them against Indiana, and when he returned versus St. John’s — after appearing to re‑injure the shoulder — the entire feel of the game shifted.

In just 15 minutes, Kentucky was +20 with Lowe on the floor. He controlled tempo, organized the offense, and made a team that has felt disjointed suddenly look connected.

Ironically, Rick Pitino spent the fall essentially saying that the traditional, pass-first point guard was dead when questioned about St. John’s not bringing in a true PG1 this season. He changed his tune on Saturday afternoon.

“I think you can see that Jaland Lowe, him coming in -- we don't have somebody coming in like him,” he said. “That's our fault as a staff for not having a big time point guard that makes people better.”

What a difference a point guard makes.

The night before, Seton Hall got a similar jolt from Adam “Budd” Clark in its 72–67 win over Providence. Clark shot just 3-9, yet he was one of the most impactful players on the floor, dictating pace early and making every critical decision late.

Clark finished with seven assists on Friday — there were tone setters early (his three first-half assists each led to layups) and clutch plays in the second.

When PC pulled to within 35-31 early in the second half, Clark helped provide separation. He drew two defenders and got the Pirates a wide-open corner three to make it 38-31. Shortly after, Clark got the Hall another layup to push their edge to a more secure 40-31.

After Providence battled back to take a 63-62 lead late, the final 2:30 belonged to Clark.

He found Stephon Payne for a layup to reclaim the lead at the 2:20 mark, led Payne to the rim again (he was fouled and made two free throws), and with Seton Hall trailing 67-66 with a minute to play, Clark drew multiple defenders and hit TJ Simpkins (a near 50% 3-point shooter) for an open three that Simpkins promptly buried.

Of course, it didn’t help that Providence had a communication breakdown on Payne’s layup and a guard got beat by their center on a cut on the ensuing possession.

Clark then put the game away after going iso on Oswin Erhunmwunse on a switch and promptly burying a mid-range jumper.

While Payne (a career night with 18 points and 16 rebounds, starting in place of Najai Hines) grabbed the headlines, it was Clark who brought the sense of calm and got Shaheen Holloway’s club good looks when they most needed it.

Two of Providence’s biggest flaws were on display:

1. A lack of a point guard: For all of Providence’s offensive numbers this season, they don’t have a true point guard — the type of kid who can play the role Clark did on Friday night: getting his team the right shot in the biggest moments.

PC had a critical empty possession late against Butler last week when Jason Edwards took a contested three from the top of the key in a huge moment.

On Friday, it was Stefan Vaaks taking a challenged three in the final minute that missed. That shot came in a game in which any type of contact on drives resulted in free throws. Going for the home run beyond the arc instead of making the tougher play showed a lack of situational awareness.

2. No physicality in the frontcourt: The Friars aimed to stabilize their frontcourt after seeing their center position melt last season, but on a night in which Seton Hall was without their starting center, Payne dominated inside against Erhunmwunse and Cole Hargrove.