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Providence College Athletics
Men's Basketball Game Notes Vs. Rhode Island On Saturday
12/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2016
Friars vs. Rhode Island, The Series: The PC Friars and the URI Rams will be renewing their Ocean State rivalry for the 127th time on December 3, with PC holding a 72-54 edge in the series, including a 37-23 mark in Providence. Since the Ryan Center opened, PC has posted a 3-4 record at the arena, which includes wins in each of the last three games in Kingston. In the last 13 meetings between the two teams, Providence holds a 9-4 advantage with the Friars winning the last six games. Last season, Providence earned a 74-72 win in Kingston. In the Friars' last game versus the Rams at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, PC earned a 68-60 win on December 10, 2014. In the most recent win by URI, the Rams took an 86-82 decision on December 5, 2009 in Kingston. The rst two meetings between PC and URI were exhibition contests in Kingston in 1920 and 1921. The rst regular season match-up was a 53-38 Friar win at the Rhode Island Auditorium. The se- ries has been continuous since 1935, with the only interruption coming in 1943- 44 when PC did not eld a team due to World War II. URI is one of three schools the Friars have played over 100 times, with the others being Brown (122 games) and Boston College (110 games).
Scouting The Rams: URI enters the game ranked No. 21/25 in the nation. The team has posted a 5-2 mark this season. The Rams were picked to nish rst in the Preseason Atlantic 10 Poll. The Rams are led by senior Hassan Martin, who is averaging a team best 16.4 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Junior guard Jared Terrell is second on the team in scoring (15.3 ppg).
Friars vs. Atlantic 10: The Friars have recorded a 146-106 mark all-time versus teams from Atlantic 10, including a 2-0 mark last season. In the team's most recent game versus an Atlantic 10 foe, Providence defeated UMass, 90-66, in Amherst on December 21, 2015. Providence's most recent loss to a A-10 team was a 66-53 loss to Dayton in the NCAA Tournament on March 20, 2015.
On Deck: The Friars will return to action on Tuesday, December 6 when they play the third of six consecutive home games as they host Brown at 7:00 p.m. on FS2.
Friars Defeat New Hampshire: Junior Rodney Bullock (Hampton, Va.) scored a career-high 36
points, including four three-pointers, and he added six rebounds, three assists and three steals to lead Providence (5-2) to a 76-62 victory against New Hampshire (4-3) in a non-conference contest at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on Wednesday evening. Junior Jalen Lindsey (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) added 11 points and ve rebounds for PC while junior Kyron Cartwright (Compton, Calif.) had 12 points, four boards and four assists in the victory for the Friars. Senior Jaleen Smith (Freeport, Texas) paced New Hampshire with a team-high 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists while junior Iba Camara (Dakar, Senegal) had 10 points and six boards in the setback for the Wildcats. After some back and forth action to start the contest and the score tied 9-9, Providence used a 7-0 run, capped by a three-pointer by freshman Maliek White (Richmond, Va.) for the 16-9 advantage with 11:28 left in the rst half. New Hampshire responded, however, and used a 10-2 run of its own for the 19-18 lead on a layup by sophomore David Watkins (Dorches- ter, Mass.) with 9:39 left on the clock, forcing a PC timeout. The Friars then dominated play for the remainder of the rst stanza, out- scoring UNH by a 20-5 margin, including 11 points from Bullock during the stretch, to take the 39-23 lead heading into the locker room at halftime. Bullock scored 19 of his 36 points in the rst half as Providence shot 50.0% (16-for-32) from the eld while holding the Wildcats to just 33.3% (9-for-27) from the oor in the rst half. New Hampshire chipped away at the PC lead throughout the second half and closed the gap to 11 points when a pair of free throws by freshman Kijana Love (Cibolo, Texas) made the score 66-55 with 4:51 left in regulation. That would be as close as UNH would get as Providence pulled away down the stretch en route to the 76-62 victory. PC shot 45.8% (27-for-59) from the eld, including 57.1% (12-for-21) from behind the three-point stripe and 58.8% (10-for-17) from the free throw line while New Hampshire shot 41.2% (21-for-51) from the eld, 40.0% (10-for-25) from the three- point line and 100.0% (10-for-10) from the free throw line. The victory gave coach Ed Cooley his 200th career win.
Bullock Scores Career High 36 Points: Junior forward Rodney Bullock (Hampton, Va.) is the team's top returning scorer. In his rst season of collegiate action in 2015-16, Bullock was third on the team in scoring (11.4 ppg) and second in rebounding (6.8 rpg). He registered a team-high eight double-doubles last season. In the Friars' second game this season, he scored 27 points, including a 5-9 performance from three-point territory, at Ohio State on November 17. He also had 18 points and was 3-5 from three-point territory in an 80-58 win over Vermont on November 14. Through seven games, he leads the team and the BIG EAST in scoring (22.0 ppg). He also leads the squad in rebounding (6.4 rpg). He posted his rst double-double of the season with 21 points and 12 re- bounds against St. Francis on November 21. On November 21, he scored 18 points versus Memphis in Niceville, Fla. On November 30 in a win versus New Hampshire, Bullock registered a career-high 36 points as he was 12-21 from the eld, including 5-8 from three-point territory.
Cartwright Gets The Point: Junior guard Kyron Cartwright (Compton, Calif.) takes over the point guard duties this season. Cart- wright, who served as the back up for All-American Kris Dunn '16 for the last two seasons, averaged 5.9 ppg last season. He was second on the team in assists with 139. He was rst in the Big East is assist to turnover ratio at 2.8.
Career High 12 Assists For Cartwright: Junior guard Kyron Cartwright (Compton, Calif.) registered a career-high 12 assists in the Friars' win over Vermont on November 14. It marked the 44th time in the 90-year history of Friar basketball that a player recorded 12 or more assists in a game. He has 53 assists in seven games (7.6 apg) this season, which ranks second in the BIG EAST.
Holt Making An Impact In First Season At Providence: Junior forward Emmitt Holt (Webster, N.Y.) recorded 22 points, ve re- bounds and three blocks in his Friar debut -- an 80-58 win over Vermont on November 14. The junior forward scored 17 points in the Friars' victory over Grambling on November 19. He is second on the team in scoring (13.7 ppg) and rebounding (5.7 rpg). He recorded his rst career double-double with the Friars when he posted 16 points and 10 rebounds versus Memphis in Niceville, Fla. on November 25. Holt, who started his college career at Indiana in 2014-15, played for Indian Hills Community College last year and ranked second in the nation in eld goal percentage (68.9 percent). He also averaged 11.6 points and 6.4 rebounds.
Lindsey Leads The Team In Three Point Shooting: Junior guard Jalen Lindsey (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) scored a game-high 18 points in the Friars' loss to No. 7/6 Virginia on November 26. He was 4-6 from three point territory. He also registered 11 points and ve rebounds and was 3-4 from three-point territory versus New Hampshire on November 30. Lindsey is rst on the team in three-point shooting as he has shot 13-28 (.464) from behind the arc. He also is fourth on the team in scoring (7.9 ppg).
Young Makes First Career Start: Freshman forward Kalif Young (Vaughan, Ontario) made his rst collegiate start in the Friars' win over St. Francis on November 21. He scored16 points and had six rebounds in the win. Young is averaging 3.1 points and 2.9 rebounds in six games this season.
Emerald Coast Classic: The Friars posted a 3-1 mark in the Emerald Coast Classic. By defeating Memphis, 60-51, on Nov. 25, the Friars reached the championship game of their in-season tournament for the fourth consecutive year. The Friars were defeated by No. 7/6 Virginia in Emerald Coast Classic Championship Game on Nov. 26. The Friars defeated Grambling (71-54) on Nov. 19 in their rst game of the Emerald Coast Classic, defeated Saint Francis Brooklyn (64-48) on Nov. 21 in the team's second game, and defeated Memphis (60-51) on Nov. 25 in the Sem nials before losing to No. 7/6 Virinia, 63-52, in the Championship game.
Watson And Dickens Sign NLIs: Men's basketball coach Ed Cooley announced on
November 9 that student-athletes Nate Watson (Arlington, Va.) and Dajour Dickens (Hampton, Va.) each signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Providence College beginning in September 2017. The two student-athletes make up a Friar recruiting class which is ranked in the top-25 by Scout.com (No. 23) and Rivals.com (No. 24). Watson, a 6-foot-9-inch, 250-pound forward attends Bishop O'Connell High School in Washington, D.C. where he is coached by Joe Wooten. At Bishop O'Connell, he averaged 13.0 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in 2016 in the very competitive Catholic League. He also played for the DC Premier AAU Team. Watson is rated as a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, Rivals.com and 247sports.com. Scout (No. 63), Rivals (No. 78) and 247sports (No. 91) all have Watson ranked as a top-100 recruit. Dickens, a 6-foot-11-inch, 215-pound center attends Bethel High School in Hamp- ton, Va. At Bethel he is coached by Craig Brehon. He played AAU basketball for the Boo Williams progam. Dickens, who is rated as a four-star recruit by every major recruiting site, is ranked 108th nationally by Rivals.com and 136th by 247sports.com. He is rated as the seventh best center in nation, according to 247sports.com.
Two Friars in NBA: The Friars had two players chosen in the 2016 NBA Draft. Kris Dunn was selected fth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves and Ben Bentil was selected with the 51st pick by the Boston Celtics. Dunn became the highest Friar selected in the NBA Draft since Marvin Barnes was picked second overall in the 1974 Draft. He also is the 11th Friar all-time to be drafted in the First Round of the NBA Draft. This also marked the rst time two Providence players were selected in the NBA Draft in the same year since 1997 when Austin Croshere ( rst round, 12th) and God Shammgod (second round, 46th) were both picked.
How The Friars Got To The NCAA Tournament Last Season: The Providence College Friars earned an at-large bid to their 18th NCAA Tournament overall and third consecutive after posting a 23-10 mark and a 10-8 record (fourth place) in BIG EAST play enter- ing the NCAA Tournament First Round game in 2015-16. Providence had an RPI of 40 entering the NCAA Tournament and was a ninth seed.
Friars Looking To Make Fourth Consecutive NCAA Tournament Appearance For The First Time Ever: This season, the Friars are looking to make their fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Friars have never made four conscecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2015-16, the Friars made their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. The team advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the previous three seasons (2014, 2015 and 2016). Providence has made three consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament three times in the history of Friar basketball (1964-66, 1972-74 and 2014-16).
Friars Earn First NCAA Tourney Win Since 1997: On March 17, 2016, the Friars defeated USC, 70-69, in the NCAA Tournament First Round. It marked the Friars' rst NCAA Tourney win since 1997. The team was on a 0-5 streak in NCAA Tourney action prior to the win over USC. Providence had last earned a win in the NCAA Tournament when it defeated UT-Chattanooga, 71-65, on March 21, 1997 to advance to the Elite Eight.
Cooley And Friars Looking For Fifth Straight Post Season Appearance: This season, Head Coach Ed Cooley will look to bring the Friars to their fth straight post-season appearance for the rst time since 1993-97. When Cooley was hired in 2011, the Friars had nished under .500 in six of the 10 previous seasons and had been to just one NCAA Tournament (2004) in that 10-year span. In 2016, the Friars made their fourth consecutive post season appearance, including their third straight NCAA Tournament berth. In his second season as the Friars' coach, Cooley led the Friars to the 2013 NIT Quarter nals. In 2014, 2015 and 2016, Cooley guided the team to the NCAA Tournament. It marked the rst time the Friars had been selected to participate in four consecutive post seasons since 1997 (NCAA), 1996 (NIT), 1995 (NIT), 1994 (NCAA) and 1993 (NIT).
Friars Earned 20th Win For Third Consecutive Season: The Friars posted a 24-11 record in 2015-16. It marked the third consecu- tive season the team earned 20 or more wins. The last time the Friars posted three consecutive 20-win seasons was 1977-78 (24-8), 1976-77 (24-5) and 1975-76 (21-11). Providence has recorded 20 or more wins in 26 of its 89 seasons of basketball. With a 22-12 mark in 2014-15, the Friars recorded 20 or more wins in consecutive seasons for the rst time since the 1992-93 (20-13) and 1993-94 (20-10) seasons. In 2014-15, the Friars nished with a 23-12 mark and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Dunn Helped Create A Winning Culture At Providence: Guard Kris Dunn (New London, Conn.) graduated from Providence last spring but not before he helped change the culture of the Friar program. The team made the post-season each of his four years as a Friar. During Dunn's four year career at Providence, the team posted an 88-50 (.642) overall record. In BIG EAST play, the team registered a 40-32 (.556) record. The Friars went 19-15 in 2012-13 (NIT), 23-12 in 2013-14 (NCAA), 22-12 in 2014-15 (NCAA), and 24-11 in 2015-16 (NCAA).
Friars 42-1 In Non-Conference Action At The Dunk Under Ed Cooley: On November 30, 2016, the Friars defeated New Hampshire, 76-62. With the win, the team improved to 42-1 in six sea- sons under Ed Cooley in non-conference home games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Cooley Earned Win No. 100 With PC: The Friars' 70-66 win over Creighton on March 2, 2016 was Ed Cooley's 100th victory as a Friar head coach. He joined Joe Mullaney (319-164), Dave Gavitt (209-84 ), Al McClellan (147-65), Tim Welsh (160-143) and Rick Barnes (108-76) as PC coaches who have 100 or more wins. He has a 108-69 mark in six seasons as the Friars head coach.
Friars All-Time Versus Top-25 Teams: The Friars have posted a 110-250 (.306) mark all-time ver- sus top-25 teams, including a 0-1record this season. In the Friars' rst game this season versus a ranked squad, the team was defeated by No. 7/6 Virginia, 63-52, in the Championship Game of the Emerald Coast Classic on November 26 in Niceville, Fla.
Providence College To Build Ruane Friar Development Center: It was announced on Decem- ber 15 that a new gift from former Providence College Board of Trustees Chair Michael A. Ruane '71 & '13 Hon. and his wife, Elizabeth Ruane, will enable Providence College to begin construc- tion of the Ruane Friar Development Center, a new multi-purpose facility that will signi cantly enhance Friar athletics, student services, and College community life. The College held a ground breaking ceremony on Oct. 1 to commence Phase I of the project which will include a new two- story structure attached to Alumni Hall. That facility will include a basketball practice facility and space for associated Department of Athletics activities.
Friars In Overtime: The Friars posted a 1-1 mark in overtime games last season. The team won in overtime at No. 4/4 Villanova, 82-76, on Jan. 24. In the team's second overtime game in 2015- 16, the Friars were defeated at Marquette, 96-91, in double overtime. The Friars have registered a 59-62 mark all-time in overtime games.
"DG" Patch On Friar Uniforms: In memory of former Friar Head Coach Dave Gavitt the Friars have worn a "DG" patch on their uniforms since the 2011-12 season. Gavitt led PC and Eastern basket- ball into the modern age. In 10 seasons as the head coach of the Friars, Gavitt led PC to 209 wins, including eight consecutive 20-win seasons, ve NCAA appearances, three NIT appearances and ve New England Coach of the Year honors. He led the Friars to 23 wins over Top-20 teams. His 1973 team made it to Final Four. In 1971, Gavitt was named Director of Athletics at PC, a position he held until 1982 when he resigned to be the director of the BIG EAST Conference. He also was named Head Coach of the 1980 USA Olympic basketball team. He was elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.
Providence College Basketball: The 2016-17 campaign marks the 90th season of basketball at Providence College. Since the program started in 1926-27, Providence has posted a 1,409-943 mark, good for a .599 winning percentage. The Friars have made the NCAA Tournament 18 times and the National Invitation Tournament on 19 occasions.
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