On Friday, November 8th, 2013, the Friars played the first college basketball game ever on Fox Sports 1, as part of the deal between the new network and the Big East. The Friars squeaked out an 82-78 overtime win over a Boston College team that finished 8-24. That Friar team ended up winning the Big East Tournament. The following season we opened with another nail-biter, a 64-60 win over Albany, a season in which the Friars returned to the NCAA tournament as a six seed. Moving up to November of 2021, the Friars beat a Fairfield team that ended up 15-18 by 7 and ended up with our first regular season championship and an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. The following year, the Friars needed a last second turnover to escaped with a 66-65 victory. This team was ranked in the top 20 for much of the year (until Coach Cooley lost his focus), and another trip to the NCAAs. Conversely, in 2020, the Friars started their season with a 41 point blowout of Fairfield, but ended up 13-13 and got beat by DePaul in the opening round of the Big East Tournament.
Why am I going through these games? Besides the fact that my boss Mike Hopkins is standing at the door of my broom closet/office to make sure I am not goofing off, it is to provide a little perspective. On Monday, the Friars struggled the entire game before finally limping away with a 59-55 victory. This led to some early panic in Friartown, and questioning of nearly every aspect of the team. To those still panicking, I suggest you take a few deep breaths and relax. A look around the Big East should show that the first game of the season is often a crapshoot where the better team often finds a way to win in the end. Butler finally took control of the game against Missouri State, arguably the worst team in the MVC in the final minutes. Similarly, Xavier (Texas Southern), Vilanova (Lafayette), and Seton Hall (St. Peter’s) all struggled against inferior opponents before winning at the end. DePaul, with their new roster, needed overtime to beat the preseason 8th place picked team in Southern Indiana. What does all this mean? History tells us not much, as long there is improvement going forward. (editors note: Villanova losing by 10 at home to Columbia on Wednesday night…while giving up 90 points on 57% shooting…not a great sign of improvement on the Main Line.)
Regarding the game itself, there were plenty of questions, but there were a number of positives as well. The most obvious point is that these players have not had a lot of time together, especially considering the injuries and introduction of so many new players. While it may sound like a cheap excuse, trying to integrate new players to a different offense, especially when one of the team’s playmakers is out, is not easy. Because of their depth, the lack of practice time exacerbates the lack of continuity. Here is a quick breakdown of the highs and lows of the game.
To say that Bensley Joseph was the Friars player of the game is an easy one. His shooting down the stretch saved the Friars, who struggled from deep. Joseph was 5-10 from three, while the rest of the Friars were a combined 3-22. It was more than just the 21 points and clutch shooting that was impressive. It is clear that he is a leader on the court and plays with a passion and willingness to push the action on both sides of the ball.
Corey Floyd and Wesley Cardet had similar games. Looking at the stats, they both struggled with their shots, but that doesn’t tell how important they were to the Friars win. While the Friars couldn’t do anything offensively, their defense kept Central Connecticut from getting any continuity. The key to this was the play of Floyd and Cardet. They used their size, strength and determination to force the Blue Devils offensive problems. Jordan Jones had 15 first half points on 6-10 shooting, but with the switch to Floyd and occasionally Cardet held him in check in the second half.
Cardet had a similar effort to the UMass charity exhibition, where he appeared to be trying to take over the game early, then settled into a team-effort player in the second half. Even though his lone three was a bank-shot from the top of the key he looked more comfortable shooting, and his coast to coast showed his skills and speed on the floor. He also led the Friars with 4 offensive rebounds and tied Christ Essandoko with 7 total rebounds. It needs to be understood that he was the first, second, and third option at Chicago State, and is now adjusting to being one of five options on the floor. Now that nearly everyone is back, my guess is that he develops offensively a bit more each game. Corey Floyd had a tough game shooting but showed a confidence on offense that was missing last year. Like Cardet, Corey helped on the boards with 5 rebounds and a block. Their defensive prowess was evident in the final minute of the game when they keyed the defense that did not allow CCSU to get off a decent shot while down two and again at the end of the game.
While a lot of fans were upset with the play of Christ Essandoko, I saw a lot to build upon. Several of his passes were sloppy which led to five turnovers, but they were plays that showed his court vision. He also made the key pass of the game, finding Bensley Joseph in corner for the three that gave us the lead with two minutes left, one of his game high 3 assists. He just needs to use better judgment and execution, something that I suspect will develop with more time together in practice. Oswin Erhunmwunse appeared nervous in his first collegiate game, but did have two dunks and five rebounds in 12 minutes. Even with that, his size and reach caused issues for CCSU’s inside players and it will be fun to watch him develop over the season. Rich Barron, Justyn Fernandez, and Jabri Abdur-Rahim came off the bench despite all coming back from various injuries, and all three had moments. The biggest concern for me was the play of Jayden Pierre, especially on the defensive side of the court. This is another situation where Pierre has been limited in practice as he returns from a groin injury, and I assume that was on his mind even if he wouldn’t make that excuse.
On Saturday evening, Rhode Island’s team returns to the hardwood to face Stonehill, which fell to 1-1 after losing to Notre Dame by 29. Having several days to practice and get better acclimated to each other should prove beneficial to the staff and team. Go Friars.
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