Indiana got its 2020-21 season off to a fast start on Wednesday with a 30-point win over Tennessee Tech. Now, it's full steam ahead to the Maui Invitational, and Providence.
The Friars are coming off of a 97-56 win in their opener against Fairfield. Last season, Ed Cooley led Providence to a 19-12 record which included 12 wins in the Big East for the program's first time ever.
The two big returners for the Friars are David Duke and Nate Watson, both of whom were named to Preseason All-Big East teams. Duke led the Friars last season in 3-pt shooting percentage at 42 percent as well as leading with 3.1 assists per game. He has a terrific ability to score both off of the dribble as well as the catch. For Watson, he was fourth on the team in scoring and third in rebounding, but has now asserted himself as the go-to player in the post. Watson led all scorers with 23 points in the opener for the Friars.
AJ Reeves, another returning player for Providence, is someone expected to take a big step up in production for the Friars' backcourt. He averaged 7.8 points last season but scored 14 in the season opener. Part of his inconsistencies has been his shooting percentage, something he looks to improve on this season.
The rest of Providence's main rotation is made up of a majority of transfers. Ed Croswell (LaSalle) and Noah Horchler (North Florida) provide added strength in the frontcourt while Jared Bynum (St. Joe's) is emerging as a solid lead guard. Brycen Goodine (Syracuse) rounds out the rotation.
"We’re disappointed we can’t get to Maui, but that field is tremendous," Archie Miller said of the tournament. "Our opponent, Providence, is going to be a top two or three team in the Big East... They’re a big, strong, physical, talented team. We may be playing one of the best teams in the field in the first game."
Providence Projected Starters
PG - Jared Bynum (So; 5-10; 180)
Season Stats: 4.0 ppg, 8.0 apg, 2.0 spg
SG - David Duke (Jr; 6-5; 205)
Season Stats: 18.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 4.0 apg
SF - AJ Reeves (Jr; 6-6; 205)
Season Stats: 14.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg
PF - Greg Gantt (So; 6-8; 220)
Season Stats: 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.0 bpg
C - Nate Watson (Sr; 6-10; 260)
Season Stats: 23.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg
Things To Watch For Indiana:
Archie Miller has talked religiously about the lack of rebounding from IU and on Wednesday that showed, winning the rebounding margin by just three. Joey Brunk missed the opener and he is still likely questionable against Providence. With guys like Nate Watson and Ed Croswell, rebounding will be a huge key in determining the outcome of the game.
"That is the biggest concern going to Asheville," Miller said. "With that type of field, that is what we are going to be going up against is rebounding."
Additionally, IU's guards are much smaller in relation to the Providence backcourt. David Duke and AJ Reeves are both 6-foot-5+ and the Indiana backcourt has struggled with opposing teams that have bigger and longer guards. Both can shoot from deep and make plays off of the dribble. I look for Armaan Franklin to play a significant role against both at times on the defensive end of the floor.
Game Information:
Who: Providence (1-0) at Indiana (1-0)
When: Monday, Nov. 30 @ 2:30 pm ET
Where: Asheville, NC
TV: ESPN2 (Jason Benetti and Bill Walton)
Radio: WPRO-99.7 FM/630 AM (John Rooke and Joe Hassett) & IU Radio Network (Don Fischer, Errek Suhr, Joe Smith)
Game notes: Providence / Indiana
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QUICK HITTERS
• Indiana and Providence have played just once all-time, with IU winning the matchup, 97-79. It was in the National Third Place game in 1973.
• Archie Miller is 1-0 against Ed Cooley all-time. They lone matchup was in the 2015 NCAA Tournament when Miller was at Dayton.
• Providence was picked to finish third in the Big East in 2020-21.
• Providence has appeared in two Maui Invitationals prior to this season (1984 and 1991). The Friars won the title in 1984.
• David Duke and Nate Watson were named to All-Big East Preseason Teams.
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