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Providence Basketball: 2017-18 season preview

By Brad Cavallaro

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Kyron Cartwright
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 09: Kyron Cartwright /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Head coach Ed Cooley of the Providence Friars calls out from the bench against the Creighton Bluejays during the Big East Basketball Tournament – Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Head coach Ed Cooley of the Providence Friars calls out from the bench against the Creighton Bluejays during the Big East Basketball Tournament – Quarterfinals at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Overview and Ranking

Providence should make their fifth straight NCAA Tournament this season with their group of talented and experienced players. The Friars return their entire eight-man rotation from a NCAA Tournament team but have also addressed some of their weaknesses from last season.

The Friars struggled to rebound against bigger teams last season. Development from Kalif Young and the addition of Nate Watson should help Providence compete on the glass and solve this major problem. They also have more lineup versatility, meaning they can match bigger teams by moving Bullock to the SF and Watson or Holt (if healthy) to the PF. Being able to play different styles will absolutely benefit Providence.

Providence also needed an additional playmaker last season as the offense would stall for extended periods. Adding a high-level PG like Makai Ashton Langford will definitely help the offense and lessen the burden on Cartwright, but the offense will also improve with increased chemistry. Last season, players had to figure out new roles while playing with many new faces. This season, players are more familiar with each other and only three new players have entered the program which should improve the offensive chemistry.

I have Providence ranked No. 23 nationally. I had the Friars slightly higher before the Holt injury news, but, even without him, they return four starters and seven of their top eight. They have a much higher ceiling with Holt, but, even without him, they should sneak into the top 25. Providence should be ranked in a similar spot as TCU who won the NIT last season and returns their top eight as well.

In terms of Big East standings, I have Providence finishing in fourth behind Villanova, Xavier, and Seton Hall. Seton Hall brings back all but one contributor from last season and is led by rebounding monster Angel Delgado. Xavier slipped down the rankings when Trevon Blueitt was i ured, but proved their worth in the NCAA Tournament. With JP Macura, Blueitt, and a slew of other veteran players, Xavier should also finish towards the top of the conference. Lastly, you cannot bet against Villanova at this point, especially when they have Jalen Brunson who is a leading candidate for Big East Player of the Year.

Next: Baylor Basketball Season Preview

Overall, Providence should be a very good team and they are worthy of being included in the top 25. With their talented upperclassmen and their improved depth, Providence should be a lock for the 2018 NCAA Tournament.

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