Providence Basketball.
The Gavitt Tipoff is this week, a beautiful conference vs conference style challenge between the Big10 and the Big East. Providence just made a statement with a win over Wisconsin.
The Friars were red hot shooting the ball all game, and cruised to a 13 point victory. Shooting the ball 58.5% from the field and a shocking 44.4% from behind the arc.
The entire nation including myself expected a few seasons for Providence to get back to a powerhouse after head coach Ed Cooley left for Georgetown. Well don’t say that to Kim English, the new head coach that has the Friars rolling to the tune of 3-0 to open the season.
Providence Set the Tone with Toughness and Defense
At first glance you wonder where and why these kids are playing with the energy of a game 7’s final minute from the tip. Then you see the energy head coach Kim English has on the sideline and smile once you realized this team is wired different.
An in your face, relentless brand of basketball that puts other teams in a shell. At least that is what it did to Wisconsin last night. Before you could blink the score was 27 to 11 and there was no hope on the Badgers’ players.
Wisconsin was tentative and struggled to get anything going in the paint offensively. Which is what happens to young teams like this seasons Badgers. Who shot a low 33.9% from the floor and a merely 20% from three.
Providence Basketball Scores from all Angles
Four players in double digits led by Devin Carter who scored 21 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Both of which led the team. Bryce Hopkins scored 16 points and recorded 4 rebounds. A pair of players scored 13 points, Jayden Pierre and Josh Oduro.
Providence will be a force to play against at home this season, especially in Big East conference play if they can bring this energy every night.
Kim English has this group of talented players focused and at their best. This Friars team is a high wire firecracker that happens to shoot the ball lights out and understand defensive rotations to the highest degree.
This team will be a top 5 program in the Big East and my guess is make some noise come March from a 10-13th seed.
College Basketball is back and this is what it is all about.
Rowan Donaghey, Sports Reporter and Betting Analyst for Stare Down Sports. You can follow him on the X via @RowanDonaghey
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