Scouting Providence, Again

The Bulls will have to slow down Marshon Brooks if they want to get their 1st Big East road win tonight.

The Bulls are on the road again to take on Providence again. The first meeting, the Bulls beat them here in Tampa 29 to 72 to get a much needed win, but the Friars are resurgent now and have beaten ranked Villanova in recent weeks, showing they are improving and will be a tough matchup for the USF offense which continues to struggle. Even though the Bulls beat DePaul last week, they are in for a tough game here.[keep reading]

The Friars are 13-9 now on the season and 2-7 in conference play (USF is 8-14 and 2-7 in conference play, so another bottom at the bottom of the basement). The Friars average 77.9 points per game (30th best in the country, compared to USF ranked 299th in the country, scoring 63 points per game). The Friars are also tough on the boards as well, averaging 39.9 rebounds per game, ranking 30th in the country (Bulls are ranked 56th in the country, averaging 38 rebounds per game).

Providence is led by senior Marshon Brooks. The 6'5" 190-pound guard averages 23.4 points per game (34% from 3-point range), 7.5 rebounds per game, and 2 assists per game. He is able to get his own shot and battles inside on drives to the hoop, making him a tough matchup for the Bulls. Guard Vincent Council (6'2" 180-pounds) averages 14.3 points per game, 4.6 rebounds per game, and 6.4 assists per game. He will be a tough matchup for Anthony Crater and the rest of the USF guards. Guard Gerard Coleman (6'4" 170-pounds) averages 11 points per game. Forward Kadeems Batts (6'8" 235-pounds) averages 7.8 points per game and 5.5 rebounds per game. He also averages 43.8% from 3-points range, meaning the USF forwards, most likely Augustus Gilchrist, will have to get out on the wing to cover his range and ability to get inside. Center/Forward Bilal Dixon is another pressence inside (6'8" 228-pounds). He averages 7.2 points per game and 6 rebounds per game.

Other players to watch:

Duke Mondy - Guard - 6'3" 196-pounds - 6.8 points per game

Bryce Cotton - Guard - 3.8 points per game

Ron Giplaye - Forward - 6'7" 240-pounds - 1.9 points per game

This is going to be a very tough game for the Bulls. Despite the previous win against the Friars, the Bulls are terribe on the road and the Friars are much better now. The Bulls will have a tough time trying to matchup with them on the scoring end of the court and will have to try to get their offense going to stay in the gym, but it won't end well for the Bulls. Final score prediction: USF 64 Providence 74