The Quick Scout: Scouting Villanova vs No. 24 Providence
Villanova travels to No. 24 Providence this weekend looking to avenge a 70-65 loss last month. This game features a possible top five pick, a prospect looking to solidify top 60 status and plenty more prospects to watch in what should be another tremendous Big East clash.
Villanova Top Prospects: Cam Whitmore (Wing, Freshman), Justin Moore (Guard, Senior)
Others of Note: Mark Armstrong (Guard, Freshman), Caleb Daniels (Guard, Grad Student), Brandon Slater (Wing, Grad Student)
Providence Top Prospects: Bryce Hopkins (Wing, Sophomore), Devin Carter (Guard, Sophomore)
Whitmore had pre-season top five buzz and has rightfully sustained it. At 6-foot-7, his blend of power, explosion, shotmaking, ball skills, and defensive tools (averaging 2 stocks per game-steals and blocks) offer one of the highest upsides in the class alongside a fairly safe floor. Equipped with his patented side and step backs plus a marriage of explosive slashing and rim finishing, he’s averaging 12.4 points while shooting 35% from three on 4.3 attempts per game.
Further developing as a playmaker for others and consistently tapping into his tools to be a plus on ball defender are amongst the things to watch for Whitmore the rest of the season and in this game considering he’ll likely be matched up with another potential NBA draft pick, Bryce Hopkins.
Hopkins, a Kentucky transfer, is breaking out in his first season as a Friar with averages of 16.8 points per game, 9.2 rebounds (1.8 offensive), 2.4 assists and 1.4 stocks. He gets it done with a blend of size (6-foot-7), power and skill-a similar physical wing blend to Whitmore, making their stretches matched up even more exciting.
If Hopkins continues to show his three-point shooting is real on a larger sample size, it’ll go a long way in solidifying him as a top 60 prospect. This season, he’s shooting at a 39% clip from deep on 2.2 attempts per game this season. For his career, Hopkins owns a 36% mark on 74 total attempts. He’s well on his way to at least being a respectable NBA shooting threat that holds some shooting gravity.
Providence’s success in the transfer portal continues with South Carolina transfer, Devin Carter. A disruptive (2.9 stocks), 6-foot-4 guard with ball skills and NBA bloodlines (son of 13-year NBA veteran Anthony Carter), he’s been one of the best transfers in the country.
Carter will enter the Villanova game on the heels of a career-high 25 points in a double overtime win against Creighton that featured his defensive playmaking including a game saving on ball block that forced double overtime.
After tearing his achilles during last season’s Elite 8 against Houston, Moore returned to game action a few weeks ago and that’s a major accomplishment in itself. As he works his way back into form, Moore has still been fairly productive with averages of 10 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists in 32.7 minutes per game through his six games played. As a strong and toolsy guard with that Villanova “know how”, he’s someone that will garner Summer League and Exhibition-10 deal (non-guaranteed deal that can be converted to a two-way deal) interest from NBA teams.
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