Providence ended the first half on a 22-5 run over Stonehill, and never looked back.
Isn’t it nice to breathe easy when you are heavy favorites? Unlike in their first contest against Central Connecticut State, as well as many games involving their Big East counterparts, Providence dominated Saturday night’s “buy” game with a 76-49 victory over Stonehill. While Kim English’s squad has a lot to work on, it was an enjoyable, stress-free night at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
Takeaway #1: Providence wins with their typical defensive identity
The Friars are known for their tough interior defense, and they have achieved this reputation without elite rim protectors. Instead, they run opponents off the three point line with their lengthy guards and force them into suboptimal two-point shots.
Stonehill was the perfect opponent to feed into that trend. Last year, the Skyhawks took spot-up jumpers at the 5th highest rate nationally, and finished 16th in three point attempt rate. However, they ranked 322nd in effective field goal percentage. Taking inefficient shots in high volumes is not exactly a winning formula.
This game played out exactly as you would’ve expected. Stonehill hit a few open threes early but for the most part, they were forced into contested, low-percentage jump shots. Overall, the Skyhawks shot 4-15 (26.7%) from the mid-range and 6-21 (28.6%) from beyond the arc.
Takeaway #2: The Friars do enough offensively, but leave more to be desired
The reason the score looked the way it did was because of Providence’s ability to generate quality three pointers and knock them down. At the same time, the Friars turned the ball over 21 times, which Kim English called “ridiculous.” “An effective field goal percentage of 58% is very good”, he said postgame. “Imagine what we could have done with 21 more shots.”
Jabri Abdur-Rahim and Wesley Cardet are expected to carry the load from a shotmaking department. Both finished in double figures with multiple threes and an efficient stat line altogether. That said, Providence’s other key rotation guards, Bensely Joseph and Jayden Pierre (who albeit was on a minute restriction) are still figuring it out.
Furthermore, against a Stonehill team that does not play anyone over 6’8″, the center duo was underwhelming other than a few nice pick-and-roll flushes by Chris Essandoko in the second half.
Although it’s early, a lot of Providence’s offensive concerns have come into fruition so far. It just did not matter tonight against a team they overwhelmed athletically.
Takeaway #3: Stonehill shows more toughness than advertised
As an NEC bottom feeder that is so jump shot oriented, I was expecting Providence to have their way physically. In some ways that did happen; the Friars grabbed 12 offensive rebounds, compared to Stonehill’s six.
But the Skyhawks left at all out there, and were not phased by the task. They were diving after loose balls, defending aggressively, and having success getting to the line when they did attack the rim.
Of course, going 9-22 (40.9%) on free throws does not help, so that’s something to work on. That said, I don’t see a reason this team cannot be at least somewhat competitive the NEC.