Friars and English’s Lack of Discipline Is Now the Story

Friars and English’s Lack of Discipline Is Now the Story

Providence College is loaded with talent.

The Friars are void of discipline.

Coaches Rick Pitino and Dan Hurley have raved about how talented the Friars are.

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GoLocal columnist Kevin Stacom, a former NBA player and 30-year scout, has repeatedly said the Friars have three players with NBA-level potential — Jamier Jones, Stefan Vaaks, and Jaylen Sellers.

He doesn’t assert they will all make the NBA, but that they have the physical gifts to potentially make “the show.’

Despite the talent, the Friars arguably are one of the most underachieving teams in college basketball.

Kim English’s squad is turning into a train wreck — you simply can’t look away from the carnage.

Due in part to a colossal lack of discipline that has seen the Friars cough up lead after lead.

There are the late fouls on three-point shooters in the final seconds, leading to losses.

Turnovers and more turnovers. This week, the Friars had 18 turnovers, and Seton Hall had 5. On Saturday, PC had 15 and St. John's just 5. 

And no game screamed of a program out of control more than the Friars’ meltdown on Saturday against St. John’s.

It was a chance to sweep St. John’s, which only has one loss in the Big East, just to the Friars.

Providence was leading 40-39 when, on a breakaway by St. John’s Bryce Hopkins, PC’s Duncan Powell's right arm hammered Hopkins in the face on a layup.

The brawl was on, and the Friars were again the team out of control. The Friar fans were hitting new lows. Multiple fans were removed from the building.

 

"That's Not the Friars I Remember in '87"

Friars fans, especially the students, seem far more obsessed with screaming at Ed Cooley or Bryce Hopkins than cheering on the Friars. It is often ugly and vicious and smells of alcohol.

"The crowd, I think lost, the crowd lost objectivity of what they're here for. If they're just here to poke fun at Bryce Hopkins and not get a win for the Friars, that's not the Friars I remember in '87," said Rick Pitino in the post-game press conference. Pitino coached the 1987 Friars to the Final Four.

The game was delayed for 19 minutes, and when the game resumed, St. John’s ran off 8 straight points and never looked back.

Add in a pouting foul late in the game by the Friars’ Jones, and the fate was sealed. He got tossed out of the game.

It was another game that got away. Another post-game press conference with English looking aimlessly at the back of the media room.

Another Friar loss. Another embarrassing outing for the fans, the players, and for English.

English is 11-15 and 4-11 in the Big East this season, tied for last place.