What to Watch For: Exhibition Opener

The long wait is over. Providence returns to the Dunkin Donuts Center, albeit in an exhibition game, on Friday night against the University of Bridgeport.

The 2018-19 Friars are loaded with both optimism and question marks. Here is what to watch for on Friday night.

The Point Guard Position: How spoiled have Providence fans been in terms of point guard play since Ed Cooley took over eight years ago? His four lead guards have included the Big East’s all-time leader in assists (Vincent Council), a two-time 1st Team All Big East performer (Bryce Cotton), a lottery pick (Kris Dunn), and a guard who played in four NCAA tournaments and led the league in assists (Kyron Cartwright).

Top 100 recruits were a rarity at Providence a decade ago, and PC now boasts a pair of top 50 players at the point guard position. Yet, lead guard is seemingly the biggest question mark among the fan base.

How far this program has come.

Cooley’s top 50 point guards are sophomore Makai Ashton-Langford and freshman David Duke. Duke, a Providence native, nearly broke the Friarweb when he committed to PC last September, while Ashton-Langford was actually ranked higher coming out of high school the year prior.

Despite their high school accolades, this is perhaps the position causing the most trepidation heading into the season due to its inexperience. Friar fans will keep a close eye on Ashton-Langford in particular on Friday night. The Worcester, MA native started the season strongly last year before seeing his minutes and production drop-off as the calendar turned to January.

Those who choose to read into his exhibition performances (either good or bad), should recall that Ashton-Langford was very productive in October a season ago, with 10 points against Connecticut, a team-leading 20 points in 28 minutes off of the bench in a loss to Carleton, and 14 points and seven rebounds (2-2 from 3) in the exhibition finale against Baruch.

Duke is electric, and it will be interesting to see how Cooley utilizes him early. Duke has been compared to Dunn both physically and athletically, and Dunn played off of the ball for much of his freshman year. Council was a four year starter on that team, however, and this group doesn’t return that type of experience at the 1.

Expect Duke to spend time at various positions, as his defensive upside makes him a must-play this season. He’ll be on the floor one way or another. Duke is all of 6’5 and an elite level athlete.

Junior Maliek White was recruited to Providence as a point guard, but on a team lacking experienced scoring punch in the backcourt, he would be best utilized as a score-first combo guard with a bright green light.

The Return of Emmitt Holt: Holt’s return to the floor is the feel-good story of 2018-19, but ultimately, Providence needs production from its fifth year senior. Holt was a terrific post scorer two seasons ago and can help stretch the floor on a team whose most consistent scoring options (Alpha Diallo and Nate Watson) do the bulk of their damage in the paint.

Cooley has said on more than one occasion that if this team is going to get where they want to in March then they’ll need a healthy, productive Holt.

Vaunted Freshmen: Let’s face it, the most exciting part of October basketball is getting a first glimpse at the newcomers — and this group has received acclaim from those both inside and outside of the program.

AJ Reeves comes to Providence as the program’s most polished backcourt scorer since Ricky Ledo in 2012. A top 50 prospect in his own right, Reeves was asked to do it all at Brimmer & May the past four seasons and averaged over 27 points per game as a senior. Reeves is a high-upside scorer who won’t be bashful when he steps on the floor. For those who haven’t seen him, think of a taller Myles Powell.

While the games of New England residents Reeves and Duke are at least somewhat familiar to most Friar fans, fellow freshmen Jimmy Nichols and Kris Monroe are relative unknowns, as they spent their high school careers in the Carolinas.

Nichols earned high praise from a trusted source who saw the team practice several times throughout the summer. He’s long, bouncy, a good shooter, and young (having turned 18 over the summer). Both Nichols (6’8, 220) and Monroe (6’8, 220) have the size and versatility their head coach values and were recruited by assistant coach Jeff Battle for those reasons.

Alpha Dog: Cooley said junior Alpha Diallo was Providence’s best player by season’s end last year, and it’s hard to argue with him. With the graduation of three senior starters, Diallo is now the leader of this program.

He has been unflappable through two seasons and should push for 1st Team All Big East honors. He’s a versatile scorer and terrific rebounder for his size (6’7, 213). Areas to watch early? Extended range on his jump shot (Diallo was great from 17 feet, but struggled beyond the 3-point arc) and play-making. Diallo could become more of a creator on the offensive end as a junior.

Just how far the games of Diallo and Nate Watson have progressed could determine this team’s upside. Watson showed flashes of being a highly efficient scorer as a freshman and if he rebounds and defends at a high level then this team will be dangerous come March.

Twitter: @Kevin_Farrahar

One Comment

1. 

   Jack Durkan

   October 20, 2018 at 2:22 pm

   Super analysis

You must be logged in to post a comment Login