After a quick two game road trip down in Virginia the Quinnipiac Bobcats (4-3 overall, 0-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) are back on their home floor on Wednesday night when the Bobcats host the Providence Friars (6-3 overall, 0-0 Big East). The Friars will be Quinnipiac’s fourth power-five conference opponent of the season along with Iowa, Missouri and Ohio State. The Bobcats will be without Vanessa Udoji and Sarah Shewan who were injured during the 81-65 win at Richmond this past Friday.
Players to Watch
Quinnipiac – Taylor Herd
Sophomore Taylor Herd started against Hampton on Sunday afternoon after starting shooting guard Vanessa Udoji got injured against Richmond. Herd did not receive a lot of minutes off of the bench during her freshman year at Quinnipiac but this season she has contributed significant minutes off the bench for the Bobcats. Herd is shooting 45 percent from the three-point line which is the best of any Quinnipiac player.
Providence – Jovana Nogic
The Friars return their three top scorers from last season including leading scorer Jovana Nogic who averaged 14.5 points per game a season ago. This season the 6-foot-1 junior guard from Belgrade, Serbia is averaging 20.8 points per game in eight games. Nogic was named to the All-Big East preseason team by the coaches.
Keys to the Game
Quinnipiac – Test Depth
Both Sarah Shewan and Vanessa Udoji were injured during Quinnipiac’s win over Richmond on Friday night and Quinnipiac struggled to a close victory against Hampton on Sunday afternoon. Tricia Fabbri must use the remaining out of conference to find out which of her players she can count on once conference play starts in a few weeks. It will be important for players who have received little playing time at the beginning of the season to show that they can be depended on once conference play starts.
Providence – Learn from Marquette
Last season Quinnipiac upset Marquette a member of the Big East. It will be important for Providence to not underestimate its opponent on Wednesday night. The Friars must get off to a a quick start because the Bobcats have shown this season that they can compete with the top teams in the nation for a majority of the game. If Providence can play a full 40-minute game it will be able to leave Hamden with a win.
The Game
You listen @QBSN’s broadcast of Providence vs. Quinnipiac from Lender Court at the TD Bank Sports Center at 7 p.m. Jonathan Banks and Shane Dennehy will be on the call for the game, follow them on Twitter: @jonathanbanks8_ and @shanedennehy15.
