PC pleased, not satisfied with effort
At 5-3 in Big East play, Friars in position to earn NCAA Tournament bid
PROVIDENCE – In taking a Big East-mandated knee from league competition this weekend, the Providence Friars can look back at what they’ve achieved to date and count their blessings.
A 5-3 Big East record (14-7 overall) is the exact opposite of where Ed Cooley’s crew was at this point last year through eight conference games. Perhaps the win-loss record would look even shinier had injuries and illnesses not invaded the locker room, but they did and the Friars were able to survive a pretty lethal 1-2 punch. Their reward for perseverance and dogged determination through choppy waters is once again squarely finding themselves in the NCAA Tournament discussion.
“Mentally, it’s been about sticking with the process,” said Cooley. “You know you’re going to have injuries and illnesses. Other guys have to be prepared to step in and when they do, they have to produce.”
It’s embedded in a coach’s DNA to never be satisfied. Given the rocky waters the Friars have endured, Cooley came across as a proud papa rather than a coach whose only concern is the next opponent, which for PC is Seton Hall on Wednesday night.
“I’m really proud of the group. I love these kids,” said Cooley. “As tough as we may be on them as a staff as far as driving them to be great … what you guys don’t see is the camaraderie that we have behind the scenes. The players give it up for you because they care.
“When you’re in a leadership position, you have to serve your people. At the same time, you have to encourage and let them know it’s okay even when you lose,” added Cooley.
Today marks the final Saturday of the regular season that won’t include the Friars. In an effort to help make the time go by a little quicker, we engaged in several topics with Cooley on Thursday night between his radio show appearance and heading off to tape his TV show.
• With the recruiting trail beckoning this weekend, Cooley was asked to break down the differences between evaluating a potential Friar target in high school and AAU settings.
“AAU basketball, it’s all the allstars. You don’t really get a chance to see what a kid can do within a team structure. In high school, you get a better evaluation about who the kid really is, not just as an athlete. Is he the leader of the team? What does he do in a go-to situation? Can he go off the bounce? Is he a shooter or a facilitator?” said Cooley. “Talent-wise, you get a clearer evaluation of a kid in AAU because the competition is better. AAU is part of the fabric of today’s basketball, but you kind of have to do your due diligence in both.”
• When Cooley does meet with recruits, he can talk about one of his former Friars being named to the Rising Stars event at NBA All-Star Weekend, an honor bestowed upon Kris Dunn earlier this week. At the time of the announcement, Dunn ranks third among rookie and sophomore guards this season for assists per game (6.4) and is tied for fifth in points per game (13.7). Building on those numbers will have to wait as Dunn works his way back from a concussion.
“Kris is going light the world on fire. He’s learning, he’s developing, and he’s growing,” said Cooley about Dunn, who with the Chicago Bulls this season has emerged as vital cog following a tough rookie season with Minnesota. “He’s playing with a sense of purpose and is so confident. I’m glad we had a chance to be part of his life.
“When you have a brand like that or a product that you helped produce … I never say to recruits that you can be Kris Dunn. Look at the job that Providence did with him. Holistically, when you hear Kris speak and see how he carries himself, he grew up a lot of here. I’m more proud of that more so than being a NBA player.”
• Minutes-wise, sophomore Maliek White made a big jump in his second game back from a knee injury. Following a 10-game layoff, White logged six first-half minutes against Creighton last Saturday. This past Wednesday, White was the first option at point guard after senior Kyron Cartwright went to the bench with two first-half fouls against Villanova.
White ended the Villanova game with 15 minutes, a good sign that his knee is responding well to an increased workload. With Makai Ashton-Langford appearing to hit a freshman wall, White’s re-entry comes at the perfect time. Not only is he a combo guard who can provide instant offense off the bench, but he brings a defensive edge that could pay major dividends when Providence plays guard-oriented teams like Marquette, which the Friars will travel to a week from Saturday. You may recall that one of the Golden Eagles’ guards, Markus Howard, lit PC up for 52 points earlier this month.
“We’ve got to try and get him up to 20-22 minutes a game,” said Cooley.
• Providence is amid a seven-day break from the Big East wars. Next Wednesday will signify the completion of exactly half of the 18-game Big East slate.
“It’s a long season, but it goes by fast,” said Cooley. “You have to embrace breaks like this because after this, we don’t have one until the postseason.”
The time will come to devote every waking minute to the Pirates. For now, the Friars are taking a long, hard look at themselves.
“We’re evaluating, but also sharpening up what we do,” said Cooley. “We’re getting better defensively. It didn’t show the other day (against Villanova), but really, they scored on our breakdowns. We’ve got to limit the mistakes in order to give ourselves a chance in those high-level games.”
By the way, Cooley counted 17 breakdowns with the Wildcats cashing in all but three of them.
• Kalif Young’s return to the starting lineup has seen the burly sophomore pull down five or more rebounds in three straight games. In two of those games, he’s come away with eight caroms.
“He’s coming along,” said Cooley.t “There’s rules where if you rebound, you’ll play. If not, you’ll be a cheerleader.” p
• After Providence native David Duke verbally committed to the Friars in mid-October, Cooley had one remaining scholarship for the Class of 2018. He was asked if the plan all along was to pocket that scholarship and save it for Emmitt Holt, who earlier this month rejoined the program after being away from the team during the first semester after undergoing abdominal surgery.
“There was never any doubt in my mind. Even if he doesn’t play, wep have to have a scholarship for him to continue his education. It’s the right thing to do,” said Cooley. “As much as you may want or need a player, it isn’t about that. It’s about taking care of your own. The right thing to do is making sure he’s at school for free and have an education that heb can use the rest of his life.”
Cooley said the addition of Holt on the bench, “has been great. He’s been another coach for us. He’s a very mature kid. I think his illness has given him a different purposed and a different vision and appreciation for the little things.”
As for when Holt may start to practice with the Friars, don’t expect that to happen any time soon, per his PC coach.
“To be honest with you, I have no idea,” said Cooley. “I’m not a doctor.”