I am interested in seeing what BrianLaverty has for insight from an angle of a Friars fan, but here is my view from a die hard Eagle fan.
Take the points. Not only do I feel Providence covers this game, I feel they have a good shot to win this game. I for one am hoping BC pulls out a win, but laying 6 against this young talented Big East team is too many.
BC has yet to play a team with the extreme up tempo style of basketball. This scares me. Not only do they play fast, they crash the board very effectivley and should win the rebound by a good margin tomorrow. Push, drive, crash...BC just does not have the "athletes" to defend this offense that has fast lengthy guards and good rebounders. I still think Reggie will be the best player on the court, and although he has the offensive spark and will score points, defensivly he will be challended tomorrow. Watching Biko and Rubin try and guard the very talented frosh Gerad Coleman (who broke my heart by not coming to the heights) will be interesting, and I see a huge advantage and mismatch for the freshman there. (Assuming Raji does not play, he is a key piece and may be the only lengthy athletic guy who could match up, however is listed as questionable.)
As I stated before in past BC games, this BC team loves to live by the 3 ball. Although they have a mediocre 3point percentage, they continue to put it up 42% of the time in attempts (17th in the nation) and convert 34% (170th). Rubin, BC's impressive sharp shooting frosh, have a big challeng on his hand as Providence has 3 guards who can play defense. As Blue Ribbon Yearbook writes "Truth be told, the Friars' three leading perimeter players can match up with mostly everyone on the schedule". We know Trapani loves to shoot the 3ball, and he could be the key tomorrow to keeping them in this game, as he will be the clear mismatch offensive advantage BC does have (a 6'10'' gritty hard nosed player who can shoot). Providence has been very effective from a perimeter defensive standpoint thus far, limiting teams to less than 30%.
BC clealy does have the seniority and leadership. They also have played a much tougher schedule and are coming off 3 days rest vs. the Friars 1. However, with a young group of guys that Providence has, the additional games can only help, as this unit grows together. After 2 straight losses against BC, in close games including a 2H collapse, this is a semi-revenge game.
In the end, I see Donahue continuing to be creative defenivlely, in many of the games he will constantly sub out each possession, having a Defensive team and Offensive team in the first half, however, the bulky guys like Southern, Elmore, and Dunn will not be fast or athletic enough to defend these guys in the paint as they slash and drive. PC will set the pace, and I think this will cause the Eagles to hav some hands on hips in the 2H. Free Throw shhoting and 3point conversions will be the key for the eagles, I just dont see them having the same success as they have had thus, tomorrow.
I feel 77-75 PC. I hope 73-72 BC. I will play PC +6.
Hot Forum Topics
