Providence College head coach Kim English shared his thoughts after the Friars suffered a narrow 87-84 defeat to the No. 11/13 UConn Huskies on Sunday, January 5, 2025. English expressed mixed emotions, praising his team’s effort while addressing the challenges that led to the loss.
The Friars delivered an impressive performance in the first half, leading 39-27 at halftime. English highlighted the team’s strong execution on both ends of the court during the opening period, commending their defensive intensity and offensive efficiency. He noted their ability to disrupt UConn’s rhythm and capitalize on opportunities, which allowed Providence to build a double-digit lead by halftime.
However, the second half proved to be a different story, as UConn mounted a significant comeback. The Huskies outscored the Friars 60-45 in the final 20 minutes, seizing momentum and ultimately securing the victory. English acknowledged several key factors that contributed to the turnaround, including defensive lapses and costly turnovers. He emphasized that these mistakes gave UConn the chance to exploit mismatches and create high-percentage scoring opportunities, which swung the game in the Huskies’ favor.
Despite the disappointing outcome, English found positives in individual performances. He praised junior guard Jayden Pierre for his exceptional play, noting Pierre’s career-high 24 points and his ability to remain aggressive under pressure. Pierre’s offensive spark kept the Friars competitive throughout the contest. English also commended senior Wesley Cardet Jr., who contributed 18 points and showcased leadership on the court. Both players were instrumental in keeping Providence in the game during UConn’s late surge.
Looking ahead, English stressed the importance of learning from this experience to prepare for upcoming challenges. He identified consistency as a critical area for improvement, urging his team to maintain focus and intensity throughout both halves of play. English also highlighted the need to tighten defensive strategies and minimize turnovers, which have been recurring issues in close games. By addressing these areas, he believes the Friars can perform better against top-tier opponents in future matchups.
English remained optimistic about his team’s resilience and growth potential, emphasizing the importance of these experiences in building a stronger, more cohesive unit. He expressed confidence in his players’ ability to respond positively and adapt as they navigate the remainder of their conference schedule.
The Friars, now looking to bounce back from this setback, are set to face several key opponents in the coming weeks. English’s focus will remain on fostering consistency, discipline, and teamwork as the team strives to improve and solidify its position in the Big East standings. Despite the loss, Providence’s competitive showing against a highly ranked UConn squad highlights their potential to contend in the conference.
