Preview: The Friars Take On the Hokies at Mohegan Sun
After stumbling across the line against Holy Cross, Providence looks to find their footing against Virginia Tech at the Amica Insurance Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off tournament at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
Game Information:
Tip Off: 4:00 PM
Location: Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
TV Streaming: Peacock
Providence College Overview:
Strengths:
Despite a poor 3-point night against Holy Cross, the Friars have some sharpshooters in their lineup, so don’t be surprised if they start changing games with their threes. Another positive sign against Holy Cross was their balanced scoring attack, as five players scored double digits (two of which came from the bench), showing strong versatility on offense.
Weaknesses:
Defensive inconsistencies from last season resurfaced in the second half against Holy Cross. With only five returning players, the Friars are still developing chemistry and learning to play together as a unit. These growing pains may continue to show, especially against Virginia Tech, as the team works to establish a more cohesive defensive identity.
Virginia Tech Overview:
Strengths:
Virginia Tech brings more physicality than Holy Cross, especially with 6’8” Tobi Lawal, who had a double-double (20pts, 12reb, 50% FG) in the game against Charleston Southern. Neoklis Avdalas, the 6’9” freshman guard from Greece, was able to dish out 9 assists in his first game, but was limited to 8 points and 3 rebounds.
Weaknesses:
The Hokies lack overwhelming size in the frontcourt, with junior forward Amani Hansberry standing at 6’8”, shorter than some of their guards. Despite this, he was able to put up 19 points and 13 rebounds last game; Providence will be much more of a physical test, though. Another noticeable weakness is Virginia Tech’s defense. Last year, they allowed 73.2 points per game, and this year they were ranked #86 in the KenPom preseason rankings for defense (their offense was ranked #23).
Providence’s Keys for Success:
1) Defend for 40 minutes
The Friars looked strong defensively in the first half against Holy Cross, allowing just 27 points off 28 shots while scoring 44 from 36 shots. They also limited the Crusaders to only 11 3-point attempts, from which they did not score. However, the second half told a different story, as they allowed 22 3-point attempts, with 11 falling, and gave up 52 total points. Against stronger opposition in the Hokies, Providence will need to ensure they are on point defensively for the full 40 minutes, especially when they have a lead. The Hokies opened the second half of their season opener with a 27-3 run, so Providence must be ready to match their intensity out of the break.
2) Stay out of Foul Trouble
Despite Providence’s #33-ranked transfer class, they still lack frontcourt depth. While Oswin appears to have taken a big step forward this year, he still ran into foul trouble against the Crusaders, which ultimately limited his play to 21 minutes. If Erhunmwunse can stay on the court, he’ll likely be one of Providence’s most impactful players in this matchup. Jaylin Sellers also stepped up in the Friars’ first game, hitting key late-game buckets to keep Providence afloat amidst the Holy Cross pressure, something I think the team lacked when things got rough last year. However, he similarly struggled with fouls, finishing the game with four.
3) Win the 3-point battle
Virginia Tech turned the ball over only seven times in their win over Charleston Southern, reflecting the team’s solid ball security and indicating that Providence may have to outshoot the Hokies from the field. After a standout season from three last year, Jason Edwards struggled in his Friars debut, going just 1 for 5 (20%). It may take a few games for him to find rhythm at his new school, but once he does, expect him to become a major scoring threat from beyond the arc.
My Impact Players
Providence: Oswin Erhunmwunse, Jamier Jones, Corey Floyd Jr.
Virginia Tech: Tobi Lawal, Neoklis Avdalas, Amani Hansberry