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Nova a Daunting Task

JV

Game time: Sunday, Jan. 5 at 7:00 p.m.

Location: The Pavilion, Villanova, PA

Television: Fox Sports 1

Radio: 103.7 WEEI

Highlights:

  • Nova bombing 3s at a ridiculous rate 
  • Henton, Batts shut down by Wildcats a season ago
  • Cotton’s shot turned the season at Nova

When the season’s prospects appeared bleak for Providence last year, the Friars turned their year around at the Pavilion in Villanova when Bryce Cotton connected on a last second three pointer that propelled PC to a 5-1 February. The Friars were reeling prior to Cotton’s make, having lost 8 of 11 coming in, and they could certainly use a lift on Sunday night.

These are difficult times for Providence. The team that coach Ed Cooley believed was good enough to win the Big East in October is far different from the one Villanova fans will watch tonight. Gone are starting point guard Kris Dunn (shoulder surgery), freshman reserve Rodney Bullock (suspension), and wing Brandon Austin (suspension, then transfer), and as a result Cooley’s group is playing with just two scholarship guards, and a difficult level of expectation.

The good news for Providence is that Bryce Cotton has somehow elevated his game once again as a senior. He’s leading the Big East in assists, scoring 19.9 points per game, is making over 90% of his free throws, while continuing to make enormous plays at the most critical times for the Friars. Sunday may be the biggest challenge of the season for the converted point guard, as Jay Wright’s club will come at Providence with waves of pressure.

In a season in which the new-look Big East desperately needed its premiere programs to keep them relevant nationally, Wright’s bunch looks up for the challenge. They are playing small, running at a ridiculous rate, firing away from deep (they’ve taken nearly 100 more 3s than PC) and have proven capable of defeating anyone.

The Wildcats are 12-1 on the season with their only loss coming to #2 Syracuse, at the Carrier Dome, in a game that Nova led 25-7 out of the gates. Among their most impressive wins were an upset of then #2 Kansas and an Iowa team that was ranked #23 nationally.

Villanova has a lot of answers. James Bell is a 15 ppg senior who has caught fire from deep in some of their biggest Bellgames. He scored 25 in the loss to Syracuse, while making six 3 pointers, and knocked down four 3s in a 20-point night versus Iowa. He torched rival St. Joseph’s for 25 points with five more made 3 pointers.

Friar fans are very familiar with JayVaughn Pinkston, Nova’s leading scorer at 15.8 per. Pinkston has gone for over 20 points on five occasions already, most recently with 22 in their Big East opener at Butler. The junior is efficient — making over 50% of his shots from the field and nearly 80% at the free throw line. He had 28 and 14 in a 74-72 comeback against PC two seasons ago.

Darrun Hilliard is another veteran shooter (over 13 ppg), while sophomore Ryan Arcidiacono runs the show. Arcidiacono has struggled with his shot this season, but made a last second three pointer against Kansas for the win.

This game will be all about who can dictate the pace. Villanova is averaging over 80 points per game and they are currently third in the Big East in field goal percentage defense (.389). They are also second in the league in blocks and tops in steals.

Providence will have to do a better job of establishing Kadeem Batts and LaDontae Henton versus Nova than they did a season ago. In PC’s 69-66 victory at the Dunk last season, the duo combined to shoot just 3-14 for 13 points. They had an even more difficult afternoon at Nova, going 2-8 for a combined six points.

Cotton will have his hands full, not only with Nova’s pressure, but their size in the backcourt. This isn’t a team with a big frontcourt, but their 1-3 spots are long and strong. Bell is 6’6, 220, Hilliard is 6’6, 215, Arcidiacono is 6’3, and impressive freshman Josh Hart is 6’5.

It’s been a challenging stretch for Cooley and the Friars, and they didn’t get any help scheduling-wise with a trip to Nova, but like they did a season ago, Providence could stem the tide with an upset of the Cats.

 

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