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

Small Forward

Minutes Allocated (40 total): Alpha Diallo (23), AJ Reeves (10) and Isaiah Jackson (7)

No matter how good the freshmen are early are, they won’t be touching Diallo‘s minutes. The 6’7 guard was highly thought of when he first arrived at Providence and broke out as a sophomore. He averaged 13.2 ppg and 6.6 rpg as a full-time starter while reaching double figures in scoring in 30 of his final 32 games. along with six double-doubles. If he improves on his 21% three-point shooting, an All-Big East nod isn’t out of the question.

What helps the Friars this upcoming season is how balanced the roster is from the guards, wings and big men. Providence has three guys with the size to play multiple positions and depending on the situation and need, Cooley can insert the best player at the three-spot to lead the team to a win.

Jackson is the best returning three-point shooter at 36% and will provide spacing for the team. The concerning part is that he only made 27 total three-pointers himself, so a couple of guys on the Friars will have to become sharpshooters to avoid being predictable on offense. That’s the next step for Diallo especially, which could send him to the NBA Draft earlier than expected if he succeeds.