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NCAA Basketball: Ranking teams in 2019 Wooden Legacy Tournament

By Joey Loose

TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats talks with Ira Lee #11, Brandon Randolph #5 and Dylan Smith #3 during the second half of the NCAAB game against the Washington Huskies at McKale Center on February 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 67-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 07: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats talks with Ira Lee #11, Brandon Randolph #5 and Dylan Smith #3 during the second half of the NCAAB game against the Washington Huskies at McKale Center on February 07, 2019 in Tucson, Arizona. The Huskies defeated the Wildcats 67-60. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: Diallo (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 16: Diallo (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

2. Providence

Though last year was slight step back, Ed Cooley led the Friars to five straight NCAA Tournament bids (2014-18) and has been a tremendous hire for Providence. Winning games in the Tournament has been another story, but Cooley has had this team competitive in a tough Big East, despite being outshined regularly by Villanova. This year’s Friars will very likely return to the NCAA Tournament and could pack quite a punch when they get there.

Isaiah Jackson has graduated, but basically the rest of this roster returns for the Friars. Expect Alpha Diallo (16.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg) and Nate Watson (11.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg) to continue to lead this team. The Friars will also add UMass grad transfer LuWane Pipkins and freshman 4-star forward Greg Gantt to a talented roster. This is a likely middle of the pack Big East team that struggled on the offensive side last season, but Cooley has a knack for developing talent and this team could surprise come conference play.

Prepared for their third Wooden Legacy, Providence gets things started with a winnable game against Long Beach State. With the returning talent on this roster, winning this tournament is very doable for the Friars, who are adjusting to far less new talent than the other teams. They might not have the raw talent to match Arizona, but if their shooters can continue to develop this season, they’ll give any of these teams a run for their money. Will they match up with Arizona or will this tournament descend into chaos?

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