[Cracked Sidewalks] #5-Providence Preview

[brewcity77]

This feels like a make-or-break season for Kim English. The Friars return a blossoming star in the middle, added proven high-major players around him, and now have an NBA assistant running their offense. Will this be the year Providence gets back to the NCAA Tournament? Today we focus on the Friars.

Providence Friars

[muwarrior69]

Why do the BE Coaches have Providence at 4 and MU at 5? Do they think their players have more talent than ours and why do you think MU will perform better than Providence?

[Its DJOver]

Why do the BE Coaches have Providence at 4 and MU at 5? Do they think their players have more talent than ours and why do you think MU will perform better than Providence?

English has never made a team more than the sum of it's parts, Shaka has.

[brewcity77]

Why do the BE Coaches have Providence at 4 and MU at 5? Do they think their players have more talent than ours and why do you think MU will perform better than Providence?

I'm surprised they are higher, but my guess is they look at Edwards, Powell, and Sellers as needle-movers, while Oswin is a prime breakout candidate. It has to be roster related. As far as why I have Marquette higher, it's primarily system related. The Marquette preview will explain in greater detail why I am where I am on our team.

[Uncle Rico]

I'm surprised they are higher, but my guess is they look at Edwards, Powell, and Sellers as needle-movers, while Oswin is a prime breakout candidate. It has to be roster related. As far as why I have Marquette higher, it's primarily system related. The Marquette preview will explain in greater detail why I am where I am on our team.

I'm going to need to see a Kim English coached team with a semi-decent offense before I believe they're a tourney team.

[MUbiz]

Kim English has never had a top 100 KP offense to my knowledge. PC ahead of MU has to be the transfers. If you believe the talking heads, transfers are the shiny objects, while Shaka's way is basically a lump of coal. Matt Norlander is really the only media guy that believes in what Shaka is doing.

[brewcity77]

I'm going to need to see a Kim English coached team with a semi-decent offense before I believe they're a tourney team.

Kim English has never had a top 100 KP offense to my knowledge.

That's where I point to Bryan Tibaldi. He schemed the Cleveland Cavs offense that was #1 in the NBA last year. I've been a huge Kim detractor, but part of coaching is putting the right people around you and trusting them. If Kim lets Tibaldi run the offense, I think you'll see a big jump. The talent is there.

[1318WWells]

Just curious, why no mention of Rich Barron in your preview (other than the stats recap from last season)? Is he injured? Or do you just see him out of their rotation?

[wadesworld]

Kim English has never had a top 100 KP offense to my knowledge. PC ahead of MU has to be the transfers. If you believe the talking heads, transfers are the shiny objects, while Shaka's way is basically a lump of coal. Matt Norlander is really the only media guy that believes in what Shaka is doing.

Tons of media people believe in what Shaka is doing.  He and Marquette get a ton of praise.  This isn't even voted on by the media.

[brewcity77]

Just curious, why no mention of Rich Barron in your preview (other than the stats recap from last season)? Is he injured? Or do you just see him out of their rotation?

Don't see enough minutes for him. Maybe he passes Vaaks but it feels like the wing depth they brought in will directly cut into his opportunity.

[Jay Bee]

Kim English has never had a top 100 KP offense to my knowledge.

An update for your knowledge: He had a top 100 KP offense last season.