As we step into the New Year, Providence College’s basketball team finds itself at a crucial crossroads. After a nearly two-week break, the Friars, sitting at 7-6, are eager to return to the court and make strides, particularly on the defensive side of the game. Their last two outings against Butler and Seton Hall resulted in heartbreaking losses, underscoring the urgency for improvement as they face St. John’s at Madison Square Garden this Saturday.
St. John’s, led by renowned coach Rick Pitino and standout Bryce Hopkins, holds a record of 9-4 and a promising start to their Big East campaign with two consecutive victories. Despite pre-season expectations ranking them as potential top-ten contenders, the Johnnies have faced challenges and their recent success, including a notable win against Georgetown, demonstrates their capacity to rebound.
Providence’s defensive struggles have been a recurring theme this season, compounded by inconsistent performances from their frontcourt players. However, coach Kim English made a strategic move in the last game by integrating freshman Jamier Jones into the starting lineup alongside Jason Edwards, Jaylin Sellers, Corey Floyd Jr., and Oswin Erhunmwunse. This adjustment appeared to enhance the team’s defensive metrics, as both Jones and Erhunmwunse have exhibited a significant impact on the court.
Statistical analysis from the season illustrates that Providence’s defensive efficiency markedly improves when Jones and Erhunmwunse are playing together. Their Defensive Rating—measured by points allowed per 100 possessions—improves sharply with their presence, reflecting a need for further exploration of the starting lineup and role assignments. The coaching staff may be considering whether to transition from Cole Hargrove to Peteris Pinnis as the backup center, especially given past performances indicating a drop-off without Erhunmwunse on the floor.
As they prepare to meet St. John’s, strategic changes seem necessary. The increased size that Pinnis could offer against St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor, compared to Hargrove, may provide an advantage. Despite limited prior experience against high-level competition, Pinnis demonstrated promise in his earlier appearances, making him a viable option.
Implementing a zone defense has also been debated among fans, although previous defensive inefficiencies might be heightened through this approach. Instead, there may be merit in employing token pressure or adjusting pick-and-roll defenses to bolster their defensive efforts without fundamentally altering their strategy.
The time away from competition has provided Providence’s coaching staff with a chance to reassess their tactics and rotations. The clash with St. John’s will not resolve all their issues but could offer valuable insights into whether the team can cement its identity moving forward in the Big East season. With renewed focus and effort, there remains hope for the Friars to turn their season around.