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Providence Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Friars

By Brad Cavallaro

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 15: Kalif Young #13 of the Providence Friars celebrates with Rodney Bullock #5 in the first half against the USC Trojans during the First Four game in the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 15, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
DAYTON, OH - MARCH 15: Kalif Young #13 of the Providence Friars celebrates with Rodney Bullock #5 in the first half against the USC Trojans during the First Four game in the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 15, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 19: Head coach Ed Cooley of the Providence Friars reacts in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 19, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – MARCH 19: Head coach Ed Cooley of the Providence Friars reacts in the first half against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second round of the 2016 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at PNC Arena on March 19, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Providence Basketball returns several key players from last season’s NCAA Tournament team? Can they return to the Big Dance for the sixth straight time?

Providence had an up-and-down 17-18 season as they assembled one of the strangest tournament resumes in the nation. Massive wins over Villanova and Xavier (twice) and ugly losses to UMass and Depaul highlight the wild fluctuations of Providence’s season. The Friars found their stride late in the season as they pushed Villanova to overtime in the Big East championship game but unfortunately lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to Texas A&M.

This year’s roster will look different as Providence loses multiple senior starters. Kyron Cartwright, Jalen Lindsey, and Rodney Bullock were in the rotation throughout their entire tenure so it will be strange to not see them in a Friar uniform.

Cartwright is the biggest loss as he was the team’s starting PG and best player over the past two seasons. The explosive lefty was the offensive catalyst and was required to create most of the scoring opportunities for himself and for his teammates. He averaged 11.8 ppg and 5.8 apg as a senior.

Lindsey was the team’s best shooter and defender. The 6’7” wing shot 40% from three and his ability to defend multiple positions was extremely valuable. He epitomized the three and D archetype as he rarely put the ball on the floor or created offense for himself, but this should not understate the impact of his departure. Lindsey averaged 8.8 ppg and 3.6 rpg in his final season.

The third and final senior to depart is Rodney Bullock. Bullock missed his first two collegiate seasons with a suspension and a knee injury, but was a key consistent starter over his final three seasons. Bullock was very inconsistent, but when he was engaged, he was a dangerous offensive player. The 6’8” PF could play inside and out, but really excelled in the mid-range where he had a variety of crafty moves to create space and score. Bullock averaged 14.3 ppg and 5.8 rpg last season.

Lastly, reserve big man Dajour Dickens has elected to transfer. Dickens is a great long-term prospect who is mobile for his size and is an excellent shot blocker. His departure is not a huge deal for this season as Providence has Holt, Watson, and Young who can play center, but it will be more significant long-term.

These are enormous losses, but a strong incoming recruiting class and a slew of talented returners should send Providence to its 6th straight NCAA Tournament appearance. This article will analyze Providence’s starters, reserves, and non-conference schedule. It will conclude with key questions and a prediction of where the Friars will finish in the Big East and nationally.

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