Providence Heads to Creighton Looking to Keep Momentum Going
Through 28 video games this season, Providence has been pressured to lean on 11 totally different beginning lineups.
On a crew seemingly bursting with depth within the preseason, the Friars rolled out a beginning lineup on Wednesday that included former walk-on Nilavan Daniels.
But the Friars have simply discovered a manner not too long ago. Mechanical points on their airplane meant they might arrive in Chicago a couple of hours earlier than tipped in opposition to DePaul, however they took residence a 71-68 win. PC performed with out Corey Floyd Jr. (hamstring) and Stefan Vaaks (sickness) in opposition to Xavier, however raced out to a 23-point lead and did sufficient during the last six minutes to win comfortably, 94-84.
Kim English told WPRI’s Sam Knox that he hopes to have Vaaks again on Saturday night time at Creighton. Meanwhile, Floyd continues to work his manner again, and Duncan Powell is wrapping up the final leg of a three-game suspension from his position within the melee in opposition to St. John’s.
While the principle focus all through this season has been on the crew’s defensive shortcomings, the damage bug continues to hang-out Kim English in his third season at Smith Hill.
The opening-night beginning lineup of Floyd, Sellers, Jason Edwards, Powell, and Ernhunmwunse has began three video games collectively.
Edwards has missed eight video games, Powell missed eight as nicely, whereas Floyd has been out for six — that is a couple of quarter of a season between the three. Meanwhile, reserves Rich Barron (0 video games), Daquan Davis (3), and Jaylin Harrell (6) have missed many of the 12 months.
The stalwarts for Providence have been Sellers, Mela, and Erhunmwunse, who’ve performed in all 28 video games this season.
While English emphasizes that there isn’t a go-to man on his offense, Sellers is rising into the chief of this group as March approaches.
English had excessive reward for him with Knox earlier this week: “I think Jaylin Sellers is an example of portal recruiting going right. We got to know him. We fell in love with him. He’s been almost a Josh Oduro-type of dream player — tough, talented, smart, hard-working, humble, mature.”
Sellers can be scoring at an elite stage.
With three video games remaining within the common season, Providence might push for a top-five end, if issues break proper over the ultimate week.
Currently, PC is seventh within the Big East with a 6-11 mark — a half-game forward of Butler and a recreation up on Marquette, Xavier, and Georgetown. They are a recreation behind DePaul and two again of Creighton.
Mike Hopkins, of pcbb1917.com, shared this fascinating graphic, which breaks down the Friars’ Big Tournament seeding chances:
Providence’s schedule units up favorably over the ultimate week, as PC hosts Marquette earlier than touring to Georgetown subsequent weekend to tackle a Hoya group that simply misplaced KJ Lewis for the season.
But first, the Friars will want to care for enterprise in Omaha tonight, the place Creighton has had large success over the previous decade.
The Jays are “down” relative to their normal — which is pure after shedding Ryan Kalkbrenner and Steven Ashworth. They are 8-10 in league play, 14-15 general and, regardless of an intensive beatdown of UConn on the street, they’re 3-7 since PC final noticed them.
In the primary assembly, Providence’s athleticism was the most important distinction, because the Friars took a 93-88 win. Jamier Jones went for 18 factors, 11 rebounds, and three steals, whereas Stefan Vaaks scored 24 factors, regardless of a 2-10 capturing night time from deep.
Notably, Sellers fouled out with out making a subject aim, whereas Edwards was sidelined with a foot damage. Still, PC obtained an enormous raise from Powell (10 factors, three 3-pointers), Erhunmwunse (14 factors, 13 rebounds), and Mela (14 factors). Erhunmwunse dominated on the offensive glass.
Providence is 4-2 in its final six video games, and gained its final two.
On paper, it is a good matchup for the Friars, however PC is 2-6 on the street in Big East play this season and 3-10 away from Providence on the 12 months. They’ll want an excellent effort to hold the momentum going.
