With Providence now the absolute biggest disappointment in the Big East this year, it is vital not to even consider taking this team lightly. One would hope that a team that has lost to Bucknell (who has now lost games to St. Francis-PA and Army — RPIs of 166 and 323) and St. John’s would take every opponent seriously, but I’m not totally sure.
The Big East is tough this year. “Any given night” truly seems to apply, and some teams just haven’t put it all together yet. No other way to explain how UConn blew that game to ND today. Saw the last 15 minutes. Can’t believe the way UConn let itself be outmuscled in the paint. Saw the second half, and was stunned. ND couldn’t sink 3s, UConn out-rebounded and shot better; but what it came down to was that UConn turned the ball over 15 times while ND only 8 — creating more opportunities for ND.
As for the game tomorrow night. The play calling crew is Sean McDonough, Bill Raftery and Jay Bilas on ESPN2 at 9pm. Not that wild about McDonough. He’s okay, but tends to get lazy and not tell you what is actually happening in the game. He’d rather tell all his pre-scripted stories and storylines. With Raftery at a Pitt game, it will be obligatory to show the “Send it in Jerome” highlight of Pitt great Jerome Lane shattering the backboard on a dunk at old Fitzgerald Fieldhouse. Actually, they have to show it, since that moment back on January 25, 1988 came against the Providence Friars. Has it really been 17 years? I feel old. (You are old.)
Both teams have their game notes available. The Friars and the Panthers (both PDF). Providence last beat Pitt in January 2001. Pitt is 14-3 historically against Providence at home. The last time Pitt lost at home to the Friars was in December 1998.
Providence may also be without their point guard, Donnie McGrath. McGrath hurt his ankle in the loss to WVU yesterday. His status is day-to-day.
The Providence game notes are trying to put a positive spin on an 0-6 Big East record by pointing out how close they were at the end of every game:
West Virginia at Providence — 10 seconds remaining — 79-76 — down 3
Boston College at Providence – 31 seconds remaining — 77-75 — down 2
Providence at Rutgers ——– 43 seconds remaining — 66-65 – down 1
Syracuse at Providence ——- 4 seconds remaining —-72-71 – down 1
Villanova at Providence ——- 17 seconds remaining — 79-75 – down 4
Providence at Boston College — 1:39 remaining ——– 61-57 – down 4
I suppose you can look at that as half-full, i.e., they were competing and just having some bad luck and sooner or later it will go their way. Or you can just say that this is a team that continues to fall short, just can’t close the deal.
Actually, I’m starting to get terrified for this game. Pitt just upset UConn and Syracuse. Both with huge comebacks. Pitt now faces an opponent they dominate at home. The opponent is reeling from losing every conference game. May be without or limiting their point guard who averages more than 30 minutes a game, their assist leader and adds about 8 points a game. This seems like the perfect script for a huge upset.
For a Providence fan’s view of the team, you can go to Let’s Go Friars.
