Defense Has The Friars On The Offensive

Jan. 9, 2005

By Michael Coyne

The best offense is a good defense. An adage that has probably thrown around since former Friar Head Coach "The General" Al McClellan directed the 1932 Friar men's basketball squad to a 23-7 win over New Hampshire* on February 13, 1932. That illustrious pencil-pushing affair included a two-point performance by the Wildcats during an entire half of play, and was part of a record-making 19-win season for the Friars, a feat that would not be surpassed until 1959.

While we can't equivocally pin a defensive-mantra on Coach McClellan's tenure, his team allowed an average of 27.4 points per game that season. Of course there was no three-point line, or shot clock for that matter, and the Friars themselves averaged 36.5 points per game, but Providence was a defensive force.

More recently, Head Coach Tim Welsh engineered a Friar defense that finished second during BIG EAST Conference play in 2003-04 allowing just 63.1 points per game. That trend seems to have continued again in 2004-05, as Providence has held five of its first 11 opponents (including Memphis on December 23rd) to 60-points or less. That feat that took until January 12th during last season's NCAA Tournament run to be accomplished. PC's tough zone-defense creates a multitude of turnovers leading to fast break points going the other way, something that sits just fine with the current Friar squad.

"Coming from Baltimore where we have a lot of guards, you really get up and down the court," sophomore Gerald Brown (Baltimore, Md.) said. "You really used to outgun the other guys, but coming here, you're focusing more on defense. The game is certainly won on both ends, but it's the defense that I've really been paying attention to since coming here."

Sophomore center Herbert Hill (Kinston, N.C.) has a bit of a different vantage point as he anchors the middle of the paint relying more on his height and impressive arm-span to eat up space around the basket. "Blocking shots is a natural thing for me, and defense is a natural reaction. If you stop people, you're going to score, and your defense becomes offense." Pointing out that its always fun to sprint down the court and get to the blocks after a big defensive stop or block, a good guard knows to reward the Big Fella for running down the court on a transition basket!

"If someone makes a big stop on defense, and they're on an emotional high, you definitely try to reward them," sophomore Sean Van De Walle added. Additionally, there has to be a great sense of satisfaction in making a tremendous play on defense. Even greater than hitting an open jump shot? "Definitely" Van De Walle notes. "Getting down and dirty and scrapping for loose balls is something that's emphasized in practice, and to make it happen is great. You definitely feel like you've accomplished more, that's what you work for."

With a durable defensive mind-set, Providence looks to make its second consecutive NCAA appearance for the first time since 1990. Though there is still a significant portion of the schedule yet to be played, including the always incredibly-tough BIG EAST slate, the Friars have a solid foundation from which to build.

* Interestingly enough, the Providence modern record for fewest points allowed in a half (12) and fewest field goals allowed in a half (six) also came against New Hampshire. That record-setting accomplishment came on December 5, 1992.

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