Busting Brackets
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Big East Basketball: 2019-20 preseason power rankings

By Lukas Harkins

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: The Villanova Wildcats celebrate the 74-72 win over the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Championship Game to claim the Big East title at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 16: The Villanova Wildcats celebrate the 74-72 win over the Seton Hall Pirates during the Big East Championship Game to claim the Big East title at Madison Square Garden on March 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 14: Duke #3 of the Friars drives. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 14: Duke #3 of the Friars drives. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

6. Providence Friars

Providence has quietly been about as consistent as they come in college basketball for the last few years. The Friars have reached the NCAA Tournament in five of the last six years and look poised for another appearance in 2019-20. Even though they were a disappointment compared to expectations last season and missed the Big Dance, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about PCBB heading into this coming campaign.

One of the major reasons for optimism this season is the arrival of Luwane Pipkins. The UMass transfer essentially fits this roster perfectly considering their needs for shooting and a primary playmaker. Pipkins is fresh off averaging 16.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game with the Minutemen last season and is a proven shooter. While transfers cannot always be counted on to be big-time performers, Pipkins should be one.

Head coach Ed Cooley allows his point guards plenty of offensive freedom and Pipkins should thrive in this system. He will also provide a nice veteran presence to a backcourt that will also feature a pair of sophomores in David Duke and A.J. Reeves. These two both put together solid freshmen campaigns a year ago but will need to take strides in their second year. This backcourt should be improved from last season and that will help provide some balance as their frontcourt shines.

Alpha Diallo and Nate Watson will likely round out the starting lineup for Providence and they both averaged in double-figures per game last season. While Watson is simply consistent as an interior scoring threat, Diallo is the star of this team. He is an All-Conference level performer and can simply do a little bit of everything on the court. Diallo is an excellent finisher around the rim and rebounds at a very high rate.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention Providence’s highly-touted incoming freshman Greg Gantt. The 6-foot-7 wing will likely be competing for reserve minutes this season but he could be an impactful contributor as he should be a perfect fit in PC’s flex offense.

Providence’s rotation is much more cohesive on paper compared to last season. The Friars personnel more closely resemble an Ed Cooley-coached team this year and that should result in success. It is hard to put them much higher in these Big East rankings but fans should be expecting an NCAA Tournament bid.

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