DePaul travels to Providence on Saturday, March 7th at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. When these two teams met in the 2nd game of Big East Conference play, the game pushed the teams in opposite directions. The Friars had accumulated some funky results which put them near the bottom of Big East teams entering conference play. After convincingly defeating Texas and Georgetown, the Friars won the rock fight against DePaul on a last second free-throw.
Since that time, Providence has proven to be a resilient team defeating all the Big East teams at least once. The Friars are on a five game winning streak. It is incredible.
The DePaul Blue Demons, one of the worst Division One teams at shooting free-throws, shot 88.6% from the line to defeat Marquette. The Demons rode the hot free-throw shooting of 50% shooter Jaylen Butz and 57% shooter Darious Hall. Hall and Butz went a combined 15-17 or 88.2%. It was also incredible.
The Setup
DePaul takes on Providence Saturday, March 7th at 5:30 at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Rhode Island.
The game will be on FoxSports Channel 237 on Comcast and on Radio 670AM.
Tale of the Tape
When you look through the Tale of the Tape chart below, the items that really stick out are that DePaul and Providence are mirror images on both the offensive and defensive ends in creating steals and turnover and giving up steals and turnovers.
It is mind blowing that the Friars are 11-6 in conference and the Demons are 3-14, when you can see the obvious similarities. Providence does not quit on the offensive boards and they are frantic on defence.
Who Can Hurt the Demons?
Alpha Diallo
Diallo, the 6’7″ Senior, is a high usage guy, who is not very efficient. On the season his offensive rating is below 100 (which is average.)
David Duke
The Friars’ sharpshooter is shooting 42.3% from beyond the arch on 41 makes.
Luwane Pipkins
Pipkins is shooting 90% from the free-throw line and 32% from 3. He scored 16 against DePaul in his Chicago homecoming.
What is Going to Happen on Saturday?
We have a game between two offensively challenged teams. I would expect an ugly game. Providence is crazy hot right now. Paul Reed will be a game-time decision.
Not feeling it, but this is a team that DePaul can play with for sure.
