Providence Friars 89 (2-0)
Northeastern Huskies 65 (0-2)
After an inconsistent first half of basketball had the Friars leading by just 2 at the break, Providence showed the team that they could be this season, putting up 51 points in the second half en route to blowing the doors off of a visiting Northeastern team. There are good players throughout the roster that give PC the ability to play different styles of ball depending on their opponent and match-up in a number of ways and not have any drop off in their play.
The Friar Faithful showed up big for the second game of the season, packing the AMP to the brim (12,410 in attendance) and bringing the noise that is making an impact on the players and coaches. The student section was locked and loaded with tall boys aplenty for an 8 PM Saturday night tip-off.
The Friars has 4 players finish in double-figures (Hopkins, Bynum, Locke, & Moore) and doubled up their turnover total (9) with assists (18). One of the more concerning things from the first game again Rider was the poor free throw shooting by Providence which they seemed to course correct on during this game, shooting 14/19 from the line (73.7%). When the Friars are playing an uptempo style and involving everybody on the floor, they can be a pretty scary team to face. I know it’s Northeastern, but it was still awesome not to have a near heart attack down the stretch of a game too.
Game Notes:
- Before anything else, I just need to post this play real quick…
- Jared Bynum reminded everyone why he was a Preseason First Team All-Big East selection this season.
- Following a rough shooting night to kick off the year, Bynum responded with a vintage JB performance, scoring a game-high 21 points on 8/12 shooting and handing out a game-high 9 assists. His 9 dimes were just one off his career best mark (10) that he notched last year at Villanova. He was the best player on the floor during the game and there was a clear disparity in his playmaking ability from whoever was the 2nd best player on the night.
- Through 2 games this year, Bynum has recorded an impressive 14 assists to just 2 turnovers. I’d say a 7:1 assist to turnover ratio is pretty good, wouldn’t you?
- Bynum chipped in 2 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 BLOCKS for good measure.
- Bryce Hopkins recorded his first double-double of his career and I’m going to go out on a limb and say that it will not be his last of thee season. Hopkins took down a game-high 11 rebounds (4 offensive) to go along with his 10 points. That makes it two games in a row where Bryce has finished in double-digit scoring.
- I thought Hopkins looked much more active on defense in this game which may have had something to do with playing less minutes and not getting hacked to all hell on every drive to the basket this time around.
- Ed Croswell is going to be Mr. Reliable this year isn’t he? I feel like he can be counted on to always be solid and make the right plays without ever having to be forced to do things that aren’t in his wheelhouse. His ability to hit the offensive glass creates his offense for him as he took down a pair on the offensive end, upping his season total to 9.
- Croswell finished with 9 points on 3/6 shooting in just 17 minutes. Big Ed tallied three swipes on the game, one off of his career high that he set in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last year against SDSU.
- Noah Locke was a big part of the scoring in the first half and appears to have a favorite go-to move with a turnaround midrange jumper that seems to work pretty well for him.
- Locke was 5/11 from the floor for 13 points, including 2/7 from three. He has now scored in double-figures and hit multiple three-pointers in both games thus far.
- Devin Carter is that dude.
- Carter has some unbelievable plays throughout the game on his way to 9 points. His athleticism jumps off the screen.
- Speaking of transfers making a big splash, Clifton Moore was freaking fantastic, scoring in a number of different ways and affecting the game on both ends of the court.
- Moore has blown me away and is so much better than I had expected. This must have been the type of player that Indiana saw when they first got him to head out to Bloomington, IN.
- In just 21 minutes on the floor, Moore scored 15 points (6/8) including a triple, added 5 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block as he continues to disperse opposing players who think it’s a good idea to try and attack him around the rim.
- Alyn Breed looks so comfortable whenever he’s on the court. Breed is a calming presence and was good at every aspect of the game. Breed ended up with 5 points on a perfect night shooting the ball (2/2, 1/1 from three).
- Corey Floyd Jr. got his first minutes of his collegiate career and was able to knock down a triple for his first ever points.
- Jayden Pierre continues to be one of the first subs off the bench and apparently he can get up. Along with Floyd, Pierre also notched his first career points.
- Rafael Castro is so much more athletic than I was anticipating from a guy with his size. Another block for Slim in limited run.
- The Death Lineup made its first appearance of the season with Kieran O’Haire being the first to record a stat with an assist. You’re up next Fonts!
- I’m not sure if anyone’s noticed yet, but Coleman Stucke on Northeastern can hit threes from the corner.
- Shooting in all aspects of the game was on point for the Friars. Providence finished 34/58 (58.6%) from the floor, 7/13 (53.8%) from three and 14/19 (73.7%) from the line.
Next Up, the Friars stay at home and take on the newly turned DI Stonehill Skyhawks in an early 5 PM tip-off at the AMP on FS2.
The Morning Hangover 