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By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PROVIDENCE — This much is clear about the Providence Friars after a handful of games. If PC entertains any thoughts of going anywhere this winter, the post players — notably seniors Jonathan Kale and Randall Hanke —have to show more than a pulse.
What the aforementioned combined for in Providence’s 86-62 runaway victory from Brown Wednesday has to be the norm, not the exception. Kale followed up his double-double against St. Mary’s with 13 points and eight rebounds against the Bears. Hanke came off the bench to produce 13 points and 10 rebounds, his fifth career double-double.
With Hanke and Kale leading the charge in the post, Providence easily won the tough-man stats. The Friars eclipsed the Bears on the backboards (44-29) and in the point, outscoring their city neighbor (46-20).
“We have to have a presence and be able to throw the ball down there,” said Kale, who admits he’s still get used to the brace covering up his thumb on his shooting hand. “We have guys who can get it done.”
The Friars, now 5-3 heading into Saturday’s clash with URI, returned from a three-game sojourn in California in which the only thing that was warm was the weather. Providence was plagued by shooting woes throughout the 76 Classic, the low point coming in the Thanksgiving night massacre against Baylor (27 percent overall, 19 from 3).
The tough goings for Providence’s perimeter players out in Anaheim resulted in teams paying little attention to the likes of Hanke and Kale. That allowed Baylor, Charlotte and St. Mary’s to run multiple waves of defenders against Sharaud Curry, Jeff Xavier, Weyinmi Efejuku and Brian McKenzie, resulting in contested shots every time.
That’s why Kale’s breakthrough performance against St. Mary’s and follow-up against Brown features all sorts of positive signs. Any results from the boys who call the blocks home is encouraging, but to receive contributions from two sources (Hanke, a career 67 percent shooter, representing the other) is surely welcomed with open arms.
“Any time we can get those guys going on the inside, it’s going to open us up on the outside,” said Curry, who finished with 14 points and eight assists. “Any time we can establish them early in the game, we want to.”
Providence coach Keno Davis felt a little psychology was in order after returning from the West Coast Monday night. Instead of running through a grueling practice with everyone still trying to readjust to the time change, Davis felt it would be best to open the gym and let the players have at it.
“When we landed, we opened the gym up to guys who wanted free shooting to work on their free throws and three-point shot,” said Davis. “Those are a couple of areas where we haven’t done well, and most of them came in. I just didn’t want to have a practice where you get off the plane where you know it might not be good.”
Davis waited until Tuesday before putting the Friars before the usual practice grind. The players clearly welcomed the smooth readjustment as Providence turned in arguably its most complete 20 minutes in the first half against the Bears (3-4).
PC was crisp and smooth on the offensive end (61 percent) while stifling Brown to 9-of-26 shooting. The high shooting mark was the result of the Friars not being so trigger happy. Instead of solely counting on the 3-ball, Providence mixed it up inside against a Brown squad that featured few answers.
The Friars shot just nine 3s (four makes) in the opening half, finishing with 20. Sophomore Marshon Brooks finished with a team-best 22 points, making 3-of-5 shots from downtown.
“I don’t think we turned down a lot of threes; I thought Brown did a good job of identifying us,” said Davis. “We were getting quality shots because guys were turning down opportunities and making the extra pass.”
Brown was able to remain close early, trailing 14-11 after Adrian Williams (15 points) swished home back-to-back treys. Then came a 22-8 surge for the Friars in which they held the Bears to four points over a five-minute stretch.
Brooks stretched the lead to 34-18 with two threes in a row. The sophomore with a spring in his step ended the first half with 17 points, 15 coming in a six-minute span to close the half, a half in which Brooks concluded with a layup at the horn.
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RIM RATTLERS: After starting 30 times last season, Xavier garnered his first start of 2008-09 against the Bears, replacing Brian McKenzie. The St. Raphael product endured a tough night, going 1-for-9. … When asked if there’s a chance Brooks will become a member of the starting group, Davis responded “I’ve heard someone say that we have eight starters.” … The Ocean State’s version of North versus South takes place this Saturday at The Dunk when PC welcomes Rhode Island. “The most important game for us is the one we’re playing,” said Davis when asked if he’s in-tune to the hype surrounding the annual tilt with the Rams. “Whether we’re playing Brown, Slippery Rock or Ottawa, we have to bring the same intensity every night.”
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