Win and We're In; Providence vs. UConn Preview
Friars Have Everything to Play for With 1 Game Left
In case you’ve been under a rock, Providence welcomes the #2 ranked UConn Huskies to the Amica Mutual Pavilion on Saturday night with a chance to wrap up an NCAA Tournament bid. Do yourself a favor: ignore every bracketology prediction out there and just know that if the Friars pull the upset on Saturday night, they will hear their name called on Selection Sunday. It’s a tall task but it is far from impossible. UConn is pound for pound the best team in the country but the Friars did give them a proper test when these two teams met back in January in Storrs. The way I see it, Providence needs to execute in 3 key areas in order to have a chance.
Keys to the Game:
Defend the 3 Point Line
UConn is an elite three point shooting team. They shoot 36.5% as a team and have 2 of the best shooters in the country in Cam Spencer and Alex Karaban. If the Huskies get it rolling from deep, it’s going to be a long night.
It is imperative that Providence runs UConn off the 3 point line, especially in the opening 10 minutes of the game. The Friars have been poor defending the three this season, as opponent’s are converting at a nearly 34% rate on the year against Providence.
The more I think about this matchup the more I’m almost willing (to an extent) to concede a few easy two’s to Donovan Clingan and UConn’s interior players if it keeps their shooters out of rhythm. Easier said than done, especially against a team of UConn’s caliber, but Providence will need to put in their best perimeter defensive performance of the season tomorrow night.
Eliminate Fastbreak Opportunities
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