Busting Brackets
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Providence Basketball: Analyzing the Friar’s 2018-19 rotation

By Tristan Freeman

CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Cooley of Providence Friars. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 16: Head coach Cooley of Providence Friars. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Makai Ashton-Langford #1 of the Providence Friars handles the ball against the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of a game at Cintas Center on February 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – FEBRUARY 28: Makai Ashton-Langford #1 of the Providence Friars handles the ball against the Xavier Musketeers in the first half of a game at Cintas Center on February 28, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Point Guard

Minutes Allocated (40 total): Makai Ashton-Langford (23), David Duke (7), Maliek White (6) and Drew Edwards (4)

The starting point guard spot will be highly contested but the edge should go to Ashton-Langford, who played very well in the non-conference when given extended minutes. He had a four-game stretch where he averaged double figures and contributed on the boards as well as passing.

There still are a few things the rising sophomore still has to work on, including ball control and shooting (3/25 from deep last season). But the 6’3 guard is ready to become the lead ball handler and could end up being one of the best Big East point guards. Of course, until his shooting improves he can’t play any other position anyways.

That’s not the case of Duke, a 6’5 combo guard capable of playing both positions on the perimeter. He’s an outstanding athlete and already an above-average defender. Ranked in the top-50, the local star staying home was a huge get for the Friars. From a raw talent standpoint, Duke could make a case to start at some point as a freshman. But his ball handling and shooting still need work, so coming off the bench while developing his game should be the right way for him to go.

Another returning player who might contend for the lead role as a point guard is White, a rising junior who averaged 4.8 ppg in 13 mpg. Considering that he averaged just 2.3 apg per 40 minutes last season, he might not get the nod compared to Ashton-Langford.

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