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Bye Week News and Notes

Ed Cooley 2-23-20 The Big East Conference

News and notes as we await Villanova on Saturday…

1. Somewhat quietly, AJ Reeves has discovered his three point stroke. In Big East games, Reeves has made .404 of his attempts from long range — ranking fifth in the league. He is one of five players to make over 40% from 3-point range in conference games. Reeves has connected on 23-57.

Providence is fifth in the Big East in 3-point shooting percentage in league games, albeit making just .322. Alpha Diallo’s 5-5 effort against Seton Hall vaulted him into the top ten in the league, joining Reeves and David Duke (.375 in league games).

2. The Friars are tops in league play in offensive rebounds and offensive rebounding percentage. Their 7.07 3-pointers made per game is fourth most in league games.

3. PC looks like it will crack the top 100 in the nation in Offensive Efficiency per Ken Pomeroy this season. This would mark the first time Providence has been a top 100 offense in KenPom’s rankings since 2016, when they finished 92nd. Here’s a look back:

  • 2018-19: 164th (105.0 rating)
  • 2017-18: 100th (108.9 rating)
  • 2016-17: 101st (108.9 rating)
  • 2015-16: 92nd (110.0 rating)
  • 2014-15: 42nd (112.6 rating)
  • 2013-14: 30th (114.6 rating)

Notably, this year’s rating is 106.4, but has Providence 79th currently.

Defense is where this team wins, as they are currently ranked 39th in the country in Defensive Efficiency (93.1 rating). Cooley’s teams have ranked in the top 50 nationally in defensive efficiency for five years running. This season would mark number six.

4. Providence’s defensive numbers per Synergy Sports are very good as well. The .844 points per possession they surrender is good for 71st percentile nationally, and they ranked in the 97th percentile in the country in transition defense. The Friars have also been good at slowing opponent’s spot up situations (61st percentile), cuts (81st percentile), and hand offs (77th percentile).

5. So, who is the best at drawing fouls and finishing on this year’s Friar club? Here are the and-1 leaders:

  • Alpha Diallo – 16
  • Nate Watson – 8
  • Emmitt Holt – 6
  • David Duke – 5
  • Maliek White/Luwane Pipkins/Kalif Young – 4

Diallo has drawn a team high 108 fouls, followed by 84 from Duke, 60 from Watson, 43 from Pipkins, and 41 from White.

6. Those looking to keep an eye on the NCAA tournament bubble should check out Bracketmatrix.com, where Providence is currently the second to last at-large team in the tournament. This website collects information of leading bracketologists across the country.

One Comment

  1. Ann Agostini

    February 26, 2020 at 8:15 pm

    Just keep winning.
    .GO FRIARS

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