Providence Basketball: 2017-18 season preview

Reserves

Kalif Young– Young should get the first crack at the starting center position with Holt out, but he will get significant minutes either way. Young showed some serious flashes as a freshman and averaged 3.2 ppg and 3.2 rpg in just over 13 minutes per game. The 6’9’’ center moves extremely well for his size and runs the floor as hard as any big man in college basketball. Young struggled with his shooting touch, especially from the free throw line (37%), but should improve as the game slows down for him. He has the size and quickness to be a strong rebounder and defender and should make a bigger impact this season for Providence.

Makai Ashton-Langford– Ashton Langford is the heir to Kyron Cartwright at the PG position but should play a consistent reserve role this season. The talented freshman has the size to play with Cartwright in smaller lineups which would give Providence even more quickness and ball handling in the backcourt. The 6’3’’ guard is an excellent athlete who can get to the rim with ease and is a terrific facilitator. Ashton-Langford is a quality defender and has the size to defend both guard positions. While he is a capable perimeter shooter, he needs to improve this area of his game to maximize his value. Ashton-Langford has immense potential at the PG position, but he should also make an immediate impact this season.

Isaiah Jackson– Jackson was an essential piece on last season’s NCAA Tournament squad. The 6’6’’ wing was very inconsistent, but when he heated up, Providence was a completely different team. Jackson, a George Mason transfer, averaged 5.6 ppg and shot 40% from three as the sixth man. He is a very good multi-positional defender who gives Providence even more length on the wing and has underrated passing vision. If Jackson can produce consistently, the Friars will have one of the best benches in the conference.

Nate Watson– Watson will also see a major increase in minutes with Holt out and expect the freshman to be productive immediately. At 6’10’’ and 260 pounds, Watson brings size and bulk to the frontcourt and he will address Providence’s biggest weakness from last season, rebounding. He can also score from the post and looks to have a soft touch around the basket. Expect Watson to play an important role for Providence.

Maliek White and Drew Edwards– Both White and Edwards have proven to be capable reserves in the past but could get pushed out of the regular rotation with the addition of Ashton-Langford. White is a 6’3’’ sophomore who showed flashes as a scorer and a facilitator but struggled with his decision making. Edwards missed most of last season with an injury but was not fully healthy in the handful of games that he did play. As a freshman, Edwards played sporadically but brought great energy and defense. He was even on the floor during crunch time in the 2016 NCAA Tournament and made the game-winning pass, which shows how much Cooley trusts him. There is a chance for White or Edwards to play a small role, but it is hard to see how both see consistent playing time.

Dajour Dickens– Dickens is a seven-foot rim protector who should compete for minutes with Holt out. Dickens will need to get stronger but brings length and mobility as a freshman. He is the rawest player on the roster and should play sporadically.