PC Basketball Seeks 5th Straight NCAA Tournament Appearance in 2017-18
Thursday, November 09, 2017
The Providence College Friars men's basketball team opens the 2017-18 season on Friday night against the Houston Baptist Huskies looking to make their fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.
Last season, the Friars made it to the NCAA Tournament's First Four, before losing to the University of Southern California Trojans.
Coming into this season, Providence was picked to finish fourth in the Big East in the conference's preseason poll.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST“A blemish on our program is we haven’t gotten to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament. Hopefully, we can do that. That’s our goal," said Providence head coach Ed Cooley during Big East media day in New York.
Friars Depth Tested Early
One of the themes for the 201-18 Friars is the amount of depth they have throughout their roster. That depth will be tested right away.
Senior forward Emmitt Holt remains out with abdominal issues and there is a chance he misses the entire season.
“The biggest loss we’re going through right now is Emmitt Holt’s spirit. He’s a tough matchup," said Cooley after PC's exhibition game against Baruch College.
His absence opens the door for sophomore Kalif Young to start the season at center, while freshmen Dajour Dickens and Nate Watson will play bigger roles.
"My biggest concern is how the big guys, Young, Watson, and Dickens will do in their first Big East road game. That will be a concern for me, that's why the loss of Holt is gonna be major," said PC radio analyst Joe Hassett.
Senior guard Jalen Lindsey has been bothered by a knee injury the entire preseason and hasn't played in any of the exhibition games. If he is to miss any time, senior Isaiah Jackson will fill his spot at one of the wing positions.
PC's depth comes at the guard and wing positions.
The Friars will be led by senior Kyron Cartwright, who ranked fourth in the country and second in the Big East in assists last season.
Behind Cartwright, there is freshman Makai Ashton-Langford and Drew Edwards. Edwards returns to PC after missing the majority of last season with a knee injury.
Sophomore Maliek White rounds out the Friars depth at the guard position.
Behind Lindsey, Jackson and sophomore Alpha Diallo lead the way at the wing positions, with Diallo expected to start.
Newcomers
Along with returning key players from last season, the Friars also welcome three highly recruited freshmen to the team.
Dickens is a 6'10" center from Virginia who is rated a four-star recruit by both Rivals.com and ESPN.
Watson is a 6'9" forward, also from Virginia, and is rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com.
The third freshman is Makai Ashton-Langford, who committed to Providence after withdrawing his commitment from UConn. He was rated a four-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, and Scout.com.
Return to Alumni Hall
The Friars will open their season on Friday, November 10 when they host Houston Baptist as part of the 2K Classic.
Due to Rhode Island Comic-Con occupying the Dunkin' Donuts Center, the game will be played at Alumni Hall.
"We are excited about playing in Alumni Hall but when the ball goes up it will be like any other game. We need to compete," said Cooley
It will be the first non-exhibition game that PC has played at Alumni Hall since 1972, the year before the Providence Civic Center - now Dunkin' Donuts Center - opened.
Looking Ahead
Following the game against Houston Baptist, The Friars stay home to face #15 Minnesota at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. Minnesota is coached by the son of former Providence coach Rick Pitino.
PC will then go to New York for two games and play Washington and then either Saint Louis or Virginia Tech at Madison Square Garden.
Belmont, Boston College and Rider are up next for the Friars, all in Providence, before PC heads to Kingston to face the University of Rhode Island.
PC's last test of the non-conference schedule comes against Houston at Mohegan Sun.
See the Projected Starting Lineup Below
Related Slideshow: Providence College Basketball 2017-18 Projected Starting Lineup
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