Busting Brackets
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
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) /

Non-Conference Breakdown

November 9th, Wichita State, Neutral

Providence will face a rebuilt Wichita State team during the first week of the season. PF Markis McDuffie is back for his senior season, but every other rotation player has moved on from the program. Where the Shockers finish in the AAC is anyone’s guess, but the 6-8 range seems like a reasonable and safe estimate. JUCO PG Ricky Torres could be the player to watch as McDuffie will certainly need some help in the scoring department

November 17th-18th, Hall of Fame Tip-Off (South Carolina, Michigan and George Washington)

Providence plays South Carolina in the first round, but the main prize is playing Michigan in the Championship. Michigan should be a top 25 team once again despite losing Moritz Wagner, Duncan Robinson, and Muhammad Abdur Rahkman. Charles Matthews should take over as the go-to option for the Wolverines, but sophomore Jordan Poole is widely considered a breakout player.

This is not to say South Carolina should be overlooked. The Gamecocks have an excellent frontcourt with Chris Silva and Maik Kotsar, however, the backcourt is filled with question marks. Justin Minaya had a solid freshman season in 17-18 and Top-100 recruit AJ Lawson looks like the starting shooting guard. Expect South Carolina to be an NIT-caliber team.

December 1st, Rhode Island, Home

Providence’s annual matchup against URI will lose some national appeal this season as the Rams lose 4 starters including star guards Jared Terrell and EC Matthews. They do return their PG, Jeff Dowtin, and Fats Russell will have the opportunity to transition from off the bench sparkplug to a go-to scorer. URI’s strong freshman class, especially Jermaine Harris, will have to immediately contribute in order to have any hope at postseason play. Probable NIT team, but the A-10 will be wide open.

December 4th, at Boston College

This could have been a top 25 matchup if Jerome Robinson hadn’t left for the NBA. Ky Bowman and the other three starters have returned, but this team is missing that All-League talent to pair with Bowman. The Eagles will likely slip to 12th or 13th in the ACC, but because this game is on the road it could be Quadrant 2.

December 7th, UMass, Home

Many UMass fans are excited (to say the least) for this upcoming season as star guard Luwane Pipkins will be joined by multiple sit-out transfers. Fairfield transfer Curtis Cobb and Rutgers transfer Jonathan Laurent are the most likely to play major minutes, but Vanderbilt transfer Djery Baptiste will also play a sizable role when eligible. When you factor in SG Carl Pierre and C Rashaan Holloway, there is a lot to like on this team. Making the NIT would be a nice step for this program.

December 21st, at Texas

Providence’s toughest game comes at Texas. The Longhorns have a loaded backcourt with Matt Coleman, Kerwin Roach, and Andrew Jones who are all athletic double-figure scorers. The frontcourt is also underrated as Dylan Osetkowski and Jericho Simms will be major contributors. Shaka Smart’s teams have not lived up to expectations at Texas, but this team could be different with all its length and athleticism. I have Texas right outside the Top 25.

Home/Big East