Busting Brackets
Fansided

Big East Basketball: 2019 recruiting needs for each program

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: A general view during the championship game of the Big East basketball tournament between the Villanova Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 14: A general view during the championship game of the Big East basketball tournament between the Villanova Wildcats and the Xavier Musketeers at Madison Square Garden on March 14, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Alex Trautwig/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 11
Next
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Providence Friars mascot performs. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Providence Friars mascot performs. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Providence Friars

Biggest Need: Wing shooters.

Providence head coach Ed Cooley is one of the best in the business when it comes to roster construction. Regardless of major departures seemingly year after year, the Friars continuously compete for NCAA Tournament bids thanks to Cooley’s innate abilities to snag quality recruiting classes and develop those players over the next few years. In regards to Providence’s 2019-20 roster, it does not seem like there will be many major holes.

For starters, the Friars look poised for a strong 2018-19 campaign behind the stellar play of Alpha Diallo and an excellent 2018 recruiting class. However, the team does lack shooting on paper and therefore adding 3-point threats should be a priority on the 2019 recruiting trail. Additionally, Providence will lose forwards Emmitt Holt and Isaiah Jackson after this season. Because of this, the top priority for PC this year should be wing shooters that can add depth to the roster.

And, early on in this recruiting season, the Friars have already landed a highly-touted wing in Greg Gantt. Ranked as the No. 66 recruit in the class, Gantt projects as a future star for Coach Cooley thanks to his strong inside-out game and long frame (6-foot-7). With Gantt already committed, PC is in great shape for the future and could be even stronger if another recruit decides to join up. As of now, the top target for Providence could be 6-foot-10 Akok Akok (No. 30), one of the best power forwards in the class.

Home/Big East