Providence Friars men's basketball


The Providence Friars men's basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition. They were a founding member of the original Big East Conference from 1979 until 2013, and are now a member of the current Big East Conference. They play their home games at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, Rhode Island.
The Friars have made two Final Four appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, in 1973 and 1987. Four former players or coaches – Dave Gavitt, John Thompson, Rick Pitino, and Lenny Wilkens – are enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition, two-time NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament champion, current Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan, helped lead the Friars to the Final Four in 1987.
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History

Early years: 1921-1955

Providence Friars basketball can be traced back to 1921, when the four-year-old school fielded its first basketball team on an informal basis. This first team only lasted two years, however, and did not return until the 1926–27 season when Archie Golembeski, the school's football coach, led to the team to a win over St. John's before devoting his time to football the next year. He was replaced by Al McClellan, who coached the team to four New England championships β€” 1929, 1930, 1932, and 1935 β€” and had an overall winning percentage over.700. In 1938, McClellan left and was replaced by Ed Crotty, who led the team to a 15–5 record in 1942–43 before the team suspended play the next year after the outbreak of World War II. After the war, the NCAA divided its teams into two divisions, the University Division and the College Division; with a smaller enrollment and no home court, the Friars were placed into the College Division and no longer faced the opponents they once played.

Mullaney era: 1955-1969

In 1949, Vin Cuddy was hired as the team's head coach, leading the team to a 14–9 record in his first season and qualified for the NAIB regional tournament in 1951, behind the school's first 1,000-point scorer, Jim Schlimm. By 1955, Cuddy's record fell to 9–12 and he was replaced by Joe Mullaney; at the same time, the school opened its first on-campus gym, Alumni Hall. In 1959, Mullaney and the Friars defeated ranked Villanova on the road, leading to their first-ever National Invitational Tournament bid.
The Friars reached the NIT Finals in 1960 with future hall-of-famer Lenny Wilkens being named MVP in his senior season before winning the tournament in 1961 behind Vin Ernst, John Egan, and Jim Hadnot. Two years later, led by another future hall of famer, John Thompson, as well as future Boston Mayor Ray Flynn, the Friars won their second NIT title. With a 24–2 record in 1964–65, the number four ranked Friars reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. In 1966–67, Jimmy Walker led the nation in scoring and became the school's first 2,000-point scorer as well as the first New England player selected first overall in the [1967 National Basketball Association|NBA draft|NBA draft]. That season also marked the last in Mullaney's run of nine consecutive 20-win seasons. Two years later, Mullaney was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA.

Gavitt era: 1969-1979

Following Mullaney's departure, Dave Gavitt, an assistant under Mullaney who then became head coach at Dartmouth, took over as the Friars' head coach in 1969. In his second year, Gavitt began a string of eight consecutive 20-win seasons. For the 1972–73 season, the team began playing in downtown Providence at the brand-new 12,000-seat arena, the Providence Civic Center. That season was the Friars' best to date; led by Ernie DiGregorio and the troubled center Marvin Barnes, the team went on a 17-team game winning streak that ended in a Final Four loss to Memphis State. The next year, the Friars posted a 28–4 record and made their second straight Sweet Sixteen appearance. The team continued its top-flight status with back-to-back 20-win seasons in 1976–77 and 1977–78, earning NCAA tournament bids each year, one coming after defeating top-ranked Michigan in 1976. After a 10–16 season in 1978–79, Gavitt left Providence to become the first commissioner of the Providence-based Big East Conference. He finished his 10-year career at Providence with a 209–84 record.

Mullaney returns: 1979-1985

After spending the first six decades of their existence as an independent, the Friars joined the Big East in its inaugural season, 1979–80. The conference originally consisted of Providence, Boston College, Georgetown, St. John's, Seton Hall, Syracuse, and Connecticut. New head coach Gary Walters led the team to an 11–16 record in 1979–80, and was replaced by Mullaney in 1981. His next stint with the Friars would not be as successful, and consisted of only one winning season against three losing.

Pitino era: 1985-1987

In 1985, New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Pitino was hired as the latest Friars head coach. In his first season the Friars compiled a 17–14 record and made their first NIT appearance in a decade. The next year, 1986–87, the Friars posted a 25–9 record behind Billy Donovan and made their second-ever Final Four appearance in the 1987 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. After losing to Syracuse, Pitino left the school and re-joined the Knicks as their head coach in 1987. The Friars have not returned to the Final Four since Pitino's departure.

Chiesa, Barnes, Gillen: 1987-1998

In 1987–88, the Friars posted a losing record under new head coach Gordie Chiesa, who was replaced by Rick Barnes after the season. Behind Barnes and 2,000-point scorer Eric Murdock, the Friars made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances in 1989 and 1990, as well as an NIT bid in 1991. Following Murdock's departure and a losing season in 1991–92, the team had an NIT semifinal appearance in 1993 and an NCAA tournament appearance in 1994, while also capturing the school's first Big East Tournament title. Following back-to-back 20-win seasons, Barnes left to become the head coach at Clemson in 1994. He was replaced by Pete Gillen. Led by Eric Williams, the Friars made consecutive NIT appearances in 1995 and 1996. In 1996–97, the Friars posted a 24–12 record, led by Austin Croshere and Jamel Thomas. After defeating Duke in the 1997 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the Friars reached the Elite Eight before losing, in overtime, to eventual champion Arizona. Following a losing season in 1997–98, Gillen departed to become the head coach at Virginia.

Welsh era: 1998-2008

Gillen was replaced by Iona head coach Tim Welsh in 1998. Led by Thomas, the Friars made an NIT bid in 1999. The team returned to the NCAA tournament two years later, posting a 21–10 record behind John Linehan. While the Friars posted a losing record in Linehan's senior season in 2001–02, the guard broke Allen Iverson's single-season Big East steals record of 67 as well as Murdock's NCAA career steals record of 377. Led by Ryan Gomes, the Friars returned to the NIT with an 18–14 record in 2002–03 and made another NCAA appearance in 2003–04 with a 20–9 record. However, Welsh's next four teams, without Gomes after 2004–05, recorded one winning season, and Welsh was fired following the 2007–08 season.

Davis era: 2008-2011

In 2008, the Friars hired Drake head coach Keno Davis, who won the National Coach of the Year Award in his first and only season as Drake's head coach. Davis' team posted a 19–14 record, including a win at home over top-ranked Pittsburgh, in 2008–09 en route to an NIT appearance. In 2009–10, Davis' team lost their final 11 games to finish 15th in the Big East. The Friars averaged 82 points per game, the fourth highest in Division I, while also surrendering 85 points per conference game, the worst statistical performance in Big East history. In Davis' third season, 2010–11, the Friars finished 14th in the conference despite having Division I's second-leading scorer in Marshon Brooks. Davis was fired after the 2010–11 season.

Cooley era: 2011-2023

On March 22, 2011, the Friars hired Fairfield head coach Ed Cooley, as the 15th head coach in program history. A Providence native, Cooley brought a reinvigorated energy surrounding the program and recruited six consensus Top 100 recruits in his first three years.

2011–12 season

In his first season at Providence, Cooley led the Friars to a 15–17 mark overall, posting an 11–3 mark in non-conference action and going 4–14 in the Big East. That season, point guard Vincent Council was named All-Big East Third Team and forward LaDontae Henton earned Big East All-Rookie Team accolades.

2012–13 season β€” NIT quarterfinals

In his second season, Cooley led the Friars to a 19–15 record overall and a 9–9 mark in league play. Included in the 9–9 Big East record in 2012–13 was a 7–2 mark over the last nine games of the conference season, marking the second best turnaround over second half of the season in Big East history. The Friars played the season with a short roster with transfers Carson Desrosier and Tyler Harris having to sit out the year per NCAA transfer rules, five star Freshman shooting guard and Providence native Ricky Ledo sitting our per NCAA eligibility issues, and five star Freshman point guard Kris Dunn sitting out the first semester with a shoulder injury. Friars Freshman guard Josh Fortune, was the only incoming player in 2012–2013 season eligible to compete. Cooley guided the Friars to the NIT where the squad posted a 2–1 record, beating Charlotte and Robert Morris before losing in the quarterfinals to eventual NIT Champion Baylor. That season, combo guard Bryce Cotton was named All-Big East First Team and Kadeem Batts was recognized as a co-winner of the league's Most Improved Award and earned All-Big East Honorable Mention accolades. After spending one year at Providence without being able to play, Ledo declared for the 2013 NBA Draft and was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves, eventually being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.

2013–14 season β€” Big East tournament champions / NCAA tournament first round

In his third season at Providence, Cooley led the Friars to a 10–8 mark in the Big East Conference and finished tied for 3rd with Xavier and St. John's. Transfers, Junior forward Carson Desrosiers and Sophomore forward Tyler Harris, were eligible to play their first season in black and white, having sat out the NCAA-enforced one-year period. However, in addition to former Senior point guard Vincent Council's graduation and Ricky Ledo entering the draft, Sophomore point guard Kris Dunn faced another shoulder injury and had to sit out almost the entire year as a medical redshirt, Cleveland State transfer Sophomore guard Junior Lamomba had to sit out the NCAA-enforced one-year period, and incoming Freshmen Brandon Austin and Rodney Bullock were suspended for the entire season due to an unspecified violation of team rules. The Friars finished the season at 23–12 overall, the most wins in a season since 1996–1997. Two players received regular season honors, Senior point guard Bryce Cotton was named All-Big East First Team and Senior forward Kadeem Batts earned All-Big East Second Team accolades. Entering the Big East Tournament, the Friars played as the 4th seed due to losing the tie-breaker with Xavier. They defeated St. John's in the Quarterfinals, Seton Hall in the semifinals, and Creighton in the thrilling final at Madison Square Garden, claiming PC's second tournament title in Big East history. By winning the Big East Tournament the team earned an automatic bid, removing any "bubble" fears. On their way to making history as the first tournament champion of the reconfigured league, Junior forward Ladontae Henton was named to the All-Tournament Team and Senior guard Bryce Cotton was named the tournaments Most Outstanding Player. On selection Sunday, the Friars were given the 11th seed in the 2014 NCAA tournament East Regional and faced the UNC. The Friars lost 77–79, but en route Bryce Cotton scored a career high 36 points, making him the 4th all-time leading scorer in Providence College basketball history. Despite the loss, the season marked yet another major step forward by Ed Cooley & Co. in rebuilding the PC basketball program.

2021–2022 season β€” Big East regular season champions / NCAA tournament

After a disappointing campaign the previous season marred by a COVID-19 shortened schedule and no fans, Ed Cooley led the Friars to their first regular season championship in Big East History with an overall record of 24–4 and 14–3 within the conference. The Friars clinched the title at home in front of a sold out Dunkin Donuts Center crowd. The Friars spent most of this season ranked in the AP and Coaches top 25 Polls reaching as high as 8/9 on Feb 14, 2022.

2022-2023 season β€” Coach Cooley's final season with the Friars

The Friars finished their season with a 13–7 record in Big East play and a 21–12 record overall, including a loss to UConn in the Big East tournament quarterfinals and a First Round loss to the University of Kentucky in the NCAA tournament. On March 20, 2023, Coach Cooley resigned as head coach at Providence to become the head coach at Georgetown University. He was replaced by Kim English. Cooley's decision to leave Providence prompted intense backlash from students and fans that was described by a former employee of the school's athletic department as "racially charged, abusive and intrusive."

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Friars have appeared in the NCAA tournament 22 times. Their combined record is 17–23.
1964First roundVillanovaL 66–77
1965First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		West Virginia
Saint Joseph's
Princeton		W 91–67
W 81–73 OT
L 69–109
1966First roundSaint Joseph'sL 48–65
1972First roundPennL 60–76
1973First round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National 3rd-place game		Saint Joseph's
Penn
Maryland
Memphis
Indiana		W 89–76
W 87–65
W 103–89
L 85–98
L 79–97
1974First round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional 3rd-place game		Penn
NC State
Furman		W 84–69
L 78–82
W 95–83
1977First roundKansas StateL 80–87
1978First roundMichigan StateL 63–77
1987#6First round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four		#11 UAB
  1. 14 Austin Peay
  2. 2 Alabama
  3. 1 Georgetown
  4. 2 Syracuse
W 90–68W 90–87 OT
W 103–82
W 88–73
L 63–77
1989#12First round#5 VirginiaL 97–100
1990#8First round#9 Ohio StateL 83–84 OT
1994#8First round#9 AlabamaL 70–76
1997#10First round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight		#7 Marquette
  1. 2 Duke
  2. 14 Chattanooga
  3. 4 Arizona
W 81–59W 98–87
W 71–65
L 92–96 OT
2001#10First round#7 Penn StateL 59–69
2004#5First round#12 PacificL 58–66
2014#11First round#6 North CarolinaL 77–79
2015#6First round#11 DaytonL 53–66
2016#9First round
Second Round		#8 USC
#1 North Carolina		W 70–69
L 66–85
2017#11First Four#11 USCL 71–75
2018#10First round#7 Texas A&ML 69–73
2022#4First round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		#13 South Dakota State
  1. 12 Richmond
  2. 1 Kansas
W 66–57 W 79–51
L 61–66
2023#11First round#6 KentuckyL 53–61

NIT results

The Friars have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament 20 times. Their combined record is 32–21. They are two-time NIT Champions.
1959First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd-place game		Manhattan
Saint Louis
St. John's
NYU		W 68–66
W 75–72
L 55–76
L 75–71
1960First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		Memphis
Saint Louis
Utah State
Bradley		W 71–70
W 64–53
W 68–62
L 72–88
1961First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		DePaul
Niagara
Holy Cross
Saint Louis		W 73–67
W 71–68
W 90–83
W 62–59
1962First roundTempleL 78–80
1963Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		Miami
Marquette
Canisius		W 106–96
W 70–64
W 81–66
1967First round
Quarterfinals		Memphis
Marquette		W 77–68
L 80–81
1971First round
Quarterfinals		Louisville
North Carolina		W 64–58
L 79–86
1975First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Final		Clemson
Pittsburgh
St. John's
Princeton		W 91–84
W 101–80
W 85–72
L 69–80
1976First round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd-place game		North Carolina A&T
Louisville
Kentucky
NC State		W 84–68
W 73–67
L 78–79
L 69–74
1986First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Boston University
George Mason
Louisiana Tech		W 72–69
W 90–71
L 63–64
1991First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		James Madison
West Virginia
Oklahoma		W 98–93
W 85–79
L 74–83
1993First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
3rd-place game		James Madison
West Virginia
Boston College
Minnesota
UAB		W 73–61
W 68–67
W 75–58
L 70–76
L 52–55
1995First round
Second Round		College of Charleston
Virginia Tech		W 72–67
L 78–91
1996First round
Second Round		Fairfield
Saint Joseph's		W 91–79
L 62–82
1999First roundNC StateL 86–92
2003Opening Round
First round
Second Round		Richmond
College of Charleston
Georgetown		W 67–49
W 69–64
L 58–67
2007First roundBradleyL 78–90
2009First roundMiami L 66–78
2013First round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Charlotte
Robert Morris
Baylor		W 75–66
W 77–68
L 68–79
2019First roundArkansasL 72–84
2024First roundBoston CollegeL 57-62

NAIA tournament results

The Friars have appeared in the NAIA tournament once. Their record is 0–1.
1951First roundMorningsideL 63–66

Former Friars

NBA

NBA G League

Playing abroad

All-time NBA draft

Former Friars

Arena

The Providence Friars men's basketball team has been playing at the Amica Mutual Pavilion since its inception in 1972, having played almost all of its home basketball games at the arena since it opened. The Amica Mutual Pavilion took over naming rights in 2022. The Amp is an indoor arena, located in downtown Providence, Rhode Island, and seats approximately 12,410 fans for basketball games. In 2001, the arena was named the Dunkin' Donuts Center as part of a naming-rights deal with Dunkin' Donuts. Ironically they served Dunkin coffee but no actual Donuts. In December 2005, the Rhode Island Convention Center Authority purchased the building from the city of Providence and spent $80 million on an extensive renovation connecting it indoor to the Convention center and a nearby luxury hotel. Renovations were also inclusive of a new Jumbotron, luxury suites, HVAC chiller, upgraded concessions, concourse updates, new seating bowl and other amenities. Since the renovations, the arena has been touted as one of the most state of the art arenas and one of the best atmospheres in the NCAA. The fans are known for being knowledgeable of basketball, and hostile to visiting teams and coaches. This has resulted in one of the best home records in D1 basketball since 2021-2022. Prior to playing at the Amica Mutual Pavilion, the Friars played on campus at Alumni Hall (Providence) from 1955 until moving to the AMP in 1972. Alumni Hall seated approximately 2,600 fans from 1955 until its renovation in 2012, and now seats approximately 1,850 fans.

Rivalries

Villanova Wildcats

The two smallest schools in the original Big East, Providence and the Villanova Wildcats, currently battle at least twice each year during conference play. The two teams first met on February 15, 1936, resulting in a 46–37 Friars victory. Villanova leads the all-time series, 67-42 since 1949-1950. The rivalry is elevated by the Catholic orders which run the schools; Providence's Dominicans and Villanova's Augustinians.

Boston College Eagles">Boston College Eagles men's basketball">Boston College Eagles

These two former Big East rivals are in adjacent states with both teams said to have among the most intense fans in New England. Though they now reside in separate conferences, they still meet occasionally during non-conference play.

Connecticut Huskies">Connecticut Huskies men's basketball">Connecticut Huskies

The only two New England schools in the old Big East for its final eight seasons, these two schools fought for New England bragging rights each year until the 2013 season, when Providence and 6 other teams in the "Catholic 7" broke away to form the new Big East and UConn remained in the now-called American Athletic Conference. UConn joined the new Big East and started playing in the conference in 2020, renewing the rivalry.

Rhode Island Rams">Rhode Island Rams men's basketball">Rhode Island Rams

The annual Rhode Island State Championship game is played between these schools once a year and is considered often to be the highlight of the schedule for the Rams. The game now alternates annually between Providence and Kingston The Ryan Center always resulting in a rare home sellout for Rhode Island in their year hosting. The annual match-up is usually played in December and has produced many memorable games and moments for both teams over the years. In recent years Providence has dominated the rivalry and holds a commanding 64-26 advantage since 1949-1950

Participations in FIBA competitions

Social Media

Providence basketball has a presence and notable fan following on:
The Friartown following on X uses #pcbb