Providence Friars (5-2) 69 

Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (3-3) 59

The Providence Friars continued their homestand with a 69-59 win over the visiting Fairleigh Dickinson Knights.  Even thought the Friars ended up with a double-digit win (barely), the game was never really in doubt throughout its entirety.

The Friars were led by Junior standout Alpha Diallo who led the way with 20 points and 9 rebounds, really kicking things into gear during the second half.  Providence was able to shoot 50% from the floor and forced 16 turnovers of the Knights, converting them into 19 points.

Providence’s defense is still not up to par where it needs to be for Big East play, but as of right now, it’s good enough to get them through their current slate of opponents.

Game Notes:

• Alpha Diallo just missed out on his 4th double-double of the season once again, making it back-to-back games with 9 rebounds and tallying 9 boards in three of the last four games.
• Diallo also led the way for the Friars in scoring, pouring in a game-high 20 points on 8-14 shooting from the floor.  Alpha was just 1-5 from three and 3-5 from the line, so there are definitely still places where he can improve his game before conference play, but overall, he was obviously the best player on the floor.
• Alpha continues to see the floor extremely well, especially with the ball from the foul line to the top of the key.

Great court vision from Diallo to a cutting MAL on the baseline #pcbb #MakaiAshtonLangford #AlphaDiallo pic.twitter.com/QDtCeA1mZ9

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) November 28, 2018

• Quick check in on my prediction that Diallo will lead the team in points, rebounds, and assists this season.
  • 18.7 ppg (1st)
  • 9.3 rpg (1st)
  • 3.9 apg (1st)
• The other two Friars to score in double figures, both did so off the bench.  Isaiah Jackson (11) and Nate Watson (10) combined to go 6-11 from the floor.
• Following Maliek White’s best game of the season against Iona, White didn’t see the floor and was sidelined with an apparent stomach bug.

Ed Cooley on Maliek White: “It was a coach’s decision. We tried to put some other guys on the floor. Maliek wasn’t feeling well this morning. His stomach was bothering him, but I felt the game was OK to try and get some other guys in.” #PCBB #Friars

— Brendan McGair (@BWMcGair03) November 28, 2018

• In White’s absence, Makai Ashton-Langford was given a chance to prove himself with some much needed minutes after not playing at all against Iona.  MAL had probably his best game of the year, recording season-highs in points (6), steals (2), blocks (2), and assists (3) in 21 minutes of action.  His numbers could have been even better if he made a pair of bunnies that he usually drops when getting to the rim.
• Makai’s highlight play was a rope of a bounce pass to a streaking A.J. Reeves that resulted in an emphatic dunk from the star Freshman.

Makai threading the needle to a streaking Reeves for the throwdown #pcbb #MakaiAshtonLangford #AJReeves #bouncetobounce pic.twitter.com/LE7ul5BHgF

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) November 28, 2018

• The best thing about MAL’s play during the game was his defense.  That’s how you earn minutes no matter if your offense is clicking or not from game to game.  If you show up on defense, that will earn you minutes every, single time.  His intensity and aggressive on-the-ball pressure helped the Friars turn a bunch of FDU turnovers into easy hoops.
• Kalif Young got the start once again and played pretty good in limited time.  He still has to make those free throws though and I’m not so sure about these 10-12 foot jumpers that he seems to be slowly falling in love with.  I do like the headband though…the headband plays.

Kalif with the strong finish through contact after a slick pass from Jackson #pcbb #KalifYoung #IsaiahJackson pic.twitter.com/klJLIlUabw

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) November 28, 2018

• Nate probably should’ve scored 30 points with the size advantage they had against the Knights big guys, but settled for 10 points on 3-6 shooting to go along with 7 rebounds.  Watson was uncharacteristically shaky from the line, going just 4-8.  His struggles from the line might have made him a hair hesitant to attack as much as he otherwise might have.
• He did steal what was most likely a MAL three-pointer and make it an ugly alley-oop to add to his point total.

Makai gift wraps this one for Nate 🎁 pic.twitter.com/j5IYgmXIqn

— PC Men’s Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) November 28, 2018

• Jimmy Nichols Jr. was a perfect 2-2 from the floor and had a monster block on the defensive side but was otherwise not much utilized in the game.
• “Super Glue” Isaiah Jackson stuff the stat sheet with 11 points, 5 rebounds, a team-high 4 assists, and a steal.
• Kris Monroe came in for a hot second and immediately hoisted a fading three pointer.  I get the urgency to make an impact when he comes in but hopefully next time he’ll get a little better of a look.
• David Duke and A.J. Reeves combined to go 5-11 from the floor and score 6 and 7 points respectfully.  They took a bit of a backseat in the game and never seemed to really get into the flow of things.
• The entire game seemed to go at a much slower pace than usual and played a little clunky without much rhythm.  The Friars gave up 9 more made three pointers to a team who’s only chance to stay in this game was to shoot threes considering their lack of size.  At one point, PC let the Knights Xzavier Malone-Key shot multiple uncontested threes in a row to get FDU back in the game.  You can have those lapses against a team like this because of your overall superior talent, but that shit is not going to fly against some better competition.

Next Up, The Ocean State Rivalry ensues when URI comes to The Dunk and Providence tries to avenge last season’s loss to the Rams (their first in the last 8 matchups).  The game is Saturday at 5 PM and will be on FS1.