Providence Basketball Loses To Oklahoma In Battle 4 Atlantis Opener

A Disappointing Start to the Season

Providence College Basketball began their season with a disappointing 79-68 loss to the University of Oklahoma in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. The Friars were unable to overcome a slow start and a poor shooting performance, which ultimately led to their downfall. Despite a valiant effort in the second half, Providence was unable to make up the deficit and fell to 0-1 on the season.

A Dismal Shooting Performance

One of the most glaring issues for Providence in their loss to Oklahoma was their dismal shooting performance. The Friars shot just 37.5% from the field and 25% from three-point range, well below their season averages. Junior guard Bryce Hopkins led the way for Providence with 18 points, but he was just 7-for-20 from the field. Graduate forward Noah Locke, who was expected to be a key contributor this season, was held to just 2-for-11 shooting.

A Slow Start

In addition to their poor shooting, Providence also struggled to get going in the first half. The Friars trailed by 10 points at halftime and were never able to fully recover. Oklahoma came out with more energy and intensity, and they were able to take control of the game early on. Providence was able to cut the deficit to just 5 points with under 10 minutes remaining in the second half, but they were unable to complete the comeback.

Positives to Take Away

Despite the disappointing loss, there were a few positives that Providence can take away from their performance. Freshman forward Ed Croswell had a solid game, finishing with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Croswell showed good athleticism and rebounding ability, and he could be a key contributor for the Friars this season. Senior guard Jared Bynum also played well, finishing with 9 points and 5 assists. Bynum was able to create scoring opportunities for his teammates and he played solid defense.

Areas for Improvement

There are a number of areas that Providence needs to improve on if they want to be successful this season. The Friars need to shoot the ball better, especially from three-point range. They also need to get off to better starts in games. Finally, they need to find a way to be more consistent. Providence has the potential to be a good team, but they need to make some adjustments if they want to reach their full potential.

Head Coach Ed Cooley’s Perspective

Head Coach Ed Cooley was disappointed with his team’s performance, but he also knows that there is a lot of room for improvement.

“We didn’t play well tonight,” Cooley said. “We didn’t shoot the ball well, we didn’t rebound the ball well, and we didn’t defend well. But we’re going to learn from this and we’re going to get better.”

Cooley is confident that his team can bounce back from this loss and have a successful season.

“I believe in this team,” Cooley said. “We have a lot of talent and a lot of potential. We’re going to work hard to improve and we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”

National Media Perspective

The national media was not impressed with Providence’s performance in their loss to Oklahoma. ESPN’s Dick Vitale called the Friars “overrated” and said that they “have a lot of work to do.” CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein said that Providence “looked lost” and that they “need to figure things out quickly.”

Impact on Providence’s Season

The loss to Oklahoma is a setback for Providence, but it is not a fatal blow. The Friars still have a lot of talent and potential, and they have time to improve. However, the loss does put more pressure on Providence to perform well in their remaining non-conference games. The Friars need to build momentum heading into Big East play, and they need to show that they are capable of competing with the top teams in the conference.

Conclusion

Providence’s loss to Oklahoma in the Battle 4 Atlantis opener was a disappointing start to the season. The Friars struggled to shoot the ball, get off to a good start, and play with consistency. However, there are still some positives that Providence can take away from the loss, and they have time to improve. The Friars need to learn from their mistakes and make some adjustments if they want to reach their full potential this season.