Big East Basketball: Markus Howard, Myles Powell lead Conference POY rankings

4. Alpha Diallo – Providence

The Friars are a team who enter the conference season with some tremendous wins and very head scratching losses. One of those losses against UMass, Providence blew a 20+ point lead in the second half. Coach Ed Cooley is going to have his team playing with heart and tremendous effort and are going to be a tough team to beat in the Big East. The Friars have a chance to finish in the top half of the Big East. As of now they do not appear to be a tournament team, but if they beat the right teams in the conference and win some road games, they will be firmly in the mix come March.

The Friars count on numerous players to help them win games, perhaps none are more important than junior wing Alpha Diallo. Diallo leads the Friars in almost every offensive category. Coach Cooley shows he has confidence in the junior as he expects him to lead on the floor. The offense runs through him and his 17 ppg show that, he is making teams pay.

The wing is a great shooter and aside from his shooting prowess he can get to the rim and get fouled on the way there. The Friars need Diallo to continue his great play on the defensive end. Diallo is also a great rebounder for his size. Defensive rebounding is a key component for any team, but Diallo makes an impact on the offensive glass as well. He averages about 3 offensive rebounds a game which gives his team extra possessions. The junior is an exciting player to watch, he does not do anything flashy, but he is an extremely talented player who will draw the ire of all opposing coaches in the Big East. Much like Alexander at Creighton, Diallo is going to be a catalyst in most of the games that Providence wins in the league.