Men's Basketball Game Notes Vs. Fairfield

611 Days: Its been 611 days or one year, eight months and 1 day since the Friars last played a regular-season game at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. On March 7, 2020, the Friars closed out their regular season with a 93-55 win over the DePaul at the Dunk. The team had won six straight games and eight of its last 10 to close the season as it headed to New York for the BIG EAST Tournament. Then the Covid-19 pandemic hit and the post season was cancelled. The Friars played the 2020-21 season on campus at Alumni Hall with no fans in attendance. PC posted an 8-3 mark at Alumni Hall last season. All-time, the Friars have recorded a 587-235 (.714) in 48 seasons of games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

Friar Tid Bits:

*The Friars posted a 13-13 mark last season.

*Nate Watson was named the 2021-22 BIG EAST Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team.

*Nate Watson was named to the 2021-22 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Preseason Watch List.

*The Friars have a team record of five graduate students on the roster this season.

*Andrew and Luke Fonts are the first brothers to suit up at the same time for the Friars in 70 years.

*Jeff Battle has been promoted from Assistant Coach to Associate Head Coach.

*The Friars defeated Stonehill College in the team's first exhibition game, 95-71, on October 21.

*The Friars posted a 2-2 mark versus ranked teams last season, with a wins at No. 11 Creighton and at home versus No. 10 Villanova.

*The Friars were 8-3 at Alumni Hall, 4-7 on the road and 1-3 in neutral site games in 2020-21.

*Jared Bynum suffered a lower body injury on Jan. 2, 2021 vs. Creighton. He missed nine games due to the injury. He returned to action versus DePaul on Feb. 13. The team was 3-6 in the nine games he missed.

*Nate Watson and David Duke were named Second Team All-BIG EAST on March 7.

*Noah Horchler scored his 1000th career point on March 10 versus DePaul. He now has 1,008 career points. He scored 833 points at North Florida before transferring to Providence in 2019. He had 175 points this season.

*Nate Watson scored his 1,000th career point on Dec. 20 versus Seton Hall. He now has 1,317 career points.

*Nate Watson (439 pts) and David Duke (438 pts) scored 48 percent (877 pts) of the team's 1,816 points. Nine other players combined to score 939 points.

*Nate Watson registered a career-high 30 points in the Friars' loss to SJU on Feb. 6.

*Nate Watson was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll on Jan. 25. He earned that honor four times on the season.

*Ed Cooley earned his 275th win as a head coach (286-204) in a victory over Davidson on Dec. 1.

Friars Versus Fairfield: The Friars have posted a 34-5 mark all-time versus Fairfield, including an 18-2 record at home. In the most recent meeting, the Friars earned a 97-56 win ton November 25, 2020 to open the 2020-21 season at Alumni Hall on the PC campus. The last time the two teams met at the Dunkin' Donuts Center, the Friars earned a 78-69 win on November 29, 2013. The last time Providence was defeated by Fairfield, the Stags earned a 74-61 win on February 28, 1968 in Fairfield, Conn. The two teams first met on December 8, 1948 when the Friars earned a 56-38 victory in Providence.

Friars in Season Openers: The Friars will open their 95th season of basketball on Tuesday, November 9 versus Fairfield at Dunkin' Donuts Center. The Friars have posted an 83-11 (.883) mark all-time in regular-season openers. In addition, the Friars hold an 86-8 (.915) record in home openers. The Friars open the 2021-22 season at home for the 21st time in 22 years. The only time in the past 22 seasons the Friars did not open at home was the 2007-08 season, when they played Temple in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Providence has won 18 of the last 19 openers, with the lone defeat coming in the 2008-09 game against Northeastern. Last season, the Friars opened the season with a 97-56 win over Fairfield at Alumni Hall on November 25, 2020.

Watson Named To Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Watch List: The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Oct. 22 that Friar graduate center Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) was named to the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award Preseason Watch list. Named after Class of 1995 Hall of Famer and three-time NCAA Champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the annual honor in its eighth year recognizes the top centers in men's college basketball. A national committee of top college basketball personnel determined the watch list of 20 candidates.College basketball fans are encouraged to participate in Fan Voting presented by Dell Technologies in each of the three rounds. In late January, the watch list of 20 players for the 2022 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Center of the Year Award will be narrowed to 10 and then in late February to just 5. In March the five finalists will be presented to Mr. Abdul-Jabbar and the Hall of Fame's selection committee where a winner will be selected.

Nate Watson Named Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team: It was announced on October 19 that Providence College graduate center Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) was named to the 2021-22 Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team. Watson (Portsmouth, Va.), who earned 2021 All-BIG EAST Second Team accolades, NABC All-District 5 Second Team honors and USBWA All-District 1 accolades, led the Friars in scoring (16.9 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg) last season. He also ranked third in the league in scoring (16.9 ppg). In 26 games last season, he recorded four double-doubles and seven games with 20 or more points. Watson shot 60 percent (180-299) from the field, which ranked second overall in the league. He was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll four times last season. Watson scored a career-high 30 points in the Friars' loss to St. John's on February 6, 2021. He also had a career-high 13 field goals in the game. Watson was 13-20 from field. He scored his 1,000th career point on December 20, 2020 in the Friars' win at Seton Hall. He became the 51st Friar all-time to register 1,000 career points. In 122 career games, Watson has registered 1,317 points (10.8 ppg).

Brothers In The Lineup: For the first time since since 1941 when Eddie and John Lee of Attleboro, Mass. suited up for the Friars, the Providence men's basketball team will have brothers playing together. Graduate student Andrew Fonts (Portsmouth, R.I.) and his brother, freshman Luke Fonts, are the first sibling combo for the Friars in 81 years.

Friars Post A 13-13 Mark: The Friars recorded a 13-13 mark and a 9-10 record in BIG EAST action in 2020-21. The team finished in sixth place of 11 teams in league play. The Friars had several games postponed due to their opponents having Covid. However, the Friars did not have a pause during their entire regular season and BIG EAST Tournament action.

Watson And Duke Named Second Team All-BIG EAST: It was announced on March 7 that Providence College center Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) and guard David Duke (Providence, R.I.) each earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors. It marked the first time since 2017 that the Friars have had two players earn all-league honors. Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) led the Friars in scoring (16.9 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg). He ranked third in the league in scoring (16.9 ppg). Duke, who averaged a team-best 4.8 apg, ranked fourth in the league in scoring and second in assists. He ranked first in the league in minutes played at 37.1 mpg.

Watson And Duke Named USBWA All-District 1: It was announced on March 16 that Providence College center Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) and guard David Duke (Providence, R.I.) each earned U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) All-District 1 honors.

Watson And Duke Named NABC All-District 5 Second Team: It was announced on March 16 that Providence College center Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) and guard David Duke (Providence, R.I.) each earned National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-District 5 Second Team honors.

Watson Led The Friars In Scoring And Rebounding: Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) led the Friars in scoring (16.9 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg) last season. He ranked second in the league in field goal percentage (60.2), third in the league in scoring (16.9 ppg) and 10th in rebounding (6.7 rpg). In 26 games, he recorded four double-doubles and seven games with 20 or more points. Watson shot 60 percent (180-299) from the field.

Watson To Return For 2021-22 Season: It was announced on March 17 that Providence College center Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) will return for his fifth season with the Friars. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the NCAA granted all winter athletes an extra season of eligibility. Watson (Portsmouth, Va.), who earned All-BIG EAST Second Team accolades, NABC All-District 5 Second Team honors and USBWA All-District 1 accolades in March, led the Friars in scoring (16.9 ppg) and rebounding (6.7 rpg). He also ranked third in the league in scoring (16.9 ppg). In 26 games, he recorded four double-doubles and seven games with 20 or more points. Watson shot 60 percent (180-299) from the field, which ranked second overall in the league. He was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll four times this season. Watson scored a career-high 30 points in the Friars' loss to St. John's on February 6. He also had a career-high 13 field goals in the game. Watson was 13-20 from the field. He scored his 1,000th career point on December 20, 2020 in the Friars' win at Seton Hall. He became the 51st Friar all-time to register 1,000 career points. In 122 career games, Watson has registered 1,317 points (10.8 ppg). He ranks 24th all-time in scoring at Providence.

Horchler To Return For 2021-22 Season: It was announced on March 28 that Providence College forward Noah Horchler (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) will return for another season with the Friars. Horchler, who transferred to Providence College in 2019 with one season of eligibility, is able to play in 2021-22 due to the NCAA granting all winter athletes an extra season of eligibility due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Horchler started 13 of the team's 26 games in 2020-21, including the final eight games of the season. He played an integral role for the Friars during those final eight games, shooting 43.2 percent (16-37) from three-point territory, grabbing 8.8 rebounds per game and scoring 11.5 points per game. For the season, Horchler ranked first on the team in three-point shooting (41.9 percent, 26-62), third in rebounding (5.7 rpg) and fourth in scoring (6.7 ppg). He registered 20 points and nine rebounds in the team's win over Xavier on February 24. Horchler recorded his first double-double as a Friar when he scored 10 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in the team's win over No. 10 Villanova on March 6.

Nate Watson Registers His 1,000th Career Point: Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) scored his 1,000th career point on December 20 in the Friars' win at Seton Hall. He became the 51st Friar all-time to register 1,000 career points. In 122 career games, Watson has registered 1,317 points (10.8 ppg). He ranks 24th all-time in scoring at Providence College.

Horchler Registers His 1,000th Career Point: Noah Horchler (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) scored his 1,000th career point on March 10, 2021 in the Friars' BIG EAST Tournament game versus DePaul. In 87 career games (59 at North Florida and 26 at Providence), Horchler has registered 1,008 points (11.6 ppg).

Watson Scores A Career High 30 Points Versus St. John's: Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) scored a career-high 30 points in the Friars' loss to St. John's on February 6. He also had a career-high 13 field goals in the game. Watson was 13-20 from the field.

Reeves Scores 28 Points At Georgetown: Junior AJ Reeves (Roxbury, Mass.) scored 28 points, grabbed five rebounds and had five assists in the Friars' loss at Georgetown. Reeves was 6-12 from three in the game.

Breed Notches A Double-Double At Villanova: Alyn Breed (Powder Springs, Ga.) had a game and career highs in points (18) and rebounds (11) in the Friars' loss at Villanova on January 23. It was Breed's first career double-double.

Friars At Alumni Hall: The Friars opened the 2020-21 season on November 25 at Alumni Hall versus Fairfield. The game marked the Friars' first regular-season contest at Alumni Hall since the squad opened the season on November 10, 2017 with an 84-55 win over Houston Baptist. Prior to that, the team's last game at Alumni Hall was on March 1, 1972 when Providence defeated St John's 73-65. The Friars played their home games at Alumni Hall from 1955-72. The Friars have compiled a 187-32 mark (.854) in the arena over 19 seasons. Over the last 48 seasons, the squad has posted a 587-235 record (.714) at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Downtown Providence.

Friars All-Time Versus Top-25 Teams: The Friars have posted a 123-271 (.312) mark all-time versus top-25 teams, including a 2-2 mark this season.

Ed Cooley Ranks Third On The PC All-Time Win List: With the Friars' win versus Butler on March 9, 2019, Ed Cooley recorded his 161st victory as the Friar Head Coach and moved into third place on the all-time win list for PC Head Coaches. The two all-time winningest Friar head coaches are: Joe Mullaney (319-164), and Dave Gavitt (209-84). Cooley has a 194-135 mark in 10 seasons as the Friars head coach.

Friars Are 68-5 In Non-Conference Home Games Under Ed Cooley: The Friars have posted a 68-5 mark in 10 seasons under Ed Cooley in non-conference home games.

Friars In Overtime: The Friars recorded a 3-0 mark in overtime games in 2020-21. They have registered a 68-67 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 basketball 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, five NCAA appearances, three NIT appearances and five 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 2021-22 campaign marks the 95th season of basketball at Providence College. Since the program started in 1926-27, Providence has posted a 1,495-1,008 mark, good for a .597 winning percentage. The Friars have made the NCAA Tournament 20 times and the National Invitation Tournament on 20 occasions.

Vs. Upcoming Opponents

Fairfield University

PC leads 34-5

Home: 18-2; Away: 14-3; Neutral: 2-0

DATE SITE PC OPP W-L

12-8-48 Providence, RI 56 38 1-0

1-29-49 Fairfield, CT 48 44 2-0

12-7-49 Providence, RI 60 59 3-0

1-27-50 Fairfield, CT 83 55 4-0

12-9-50 Providence, RI 81 61 5-0

1-26-51 Fairfield, CT 82 64 6-0

1-26-52 Fairfield, CT 64 58 7-0

2-27-52 Providence, RI 67 68 7-1

1-3-53 Fairfield, CT 65 73 7-2

2-18-53 Providence, RI 88 110 7-3

12-9-53 Providence, RI 72 69 8-1

1-2-54 Fairfield, CT 62 74 8-4

2-12-55 Fairfield, CT 65 57 9-4

12-14-55 Providence, RI 73 54 10-4

2-25-57 Fairfield, CT 71 63 11-4

12-1-57 Providence, RI 83 60 12-4

12-15-58 Fairfield, CT 64 32 13-4

2-29-60 Providence, RI 100 57 14-4

3-2-61 Fairfield, CT 81 59 15-4

2-26-52 Providence, RI 88 65 16-4

3-5-63 Fairfield, CT 85 65 17-4

12-10-63 Providence, RI 77 58 18-4

1-4-65 Fairfield, CT 72 65 19-4

2-9-66 Providence, RI 74 62 20-4

2-8-67 Providence, RI 89 71 21-4

2-28-68 Fairfield, CT 61 74 21-5

3-7-69 Providence, RI 92 63 22-5

1-3-70 Fairfield, CT 76 56 23-5

12-9-70 Providence, RI 84 54 24-5

1-19-72 Fairfield, CT 87 75 25-5

12-11-72 Providence, RI 93 57 26-5

3-3-77 Harford, CT > 44 31 27-5

3-15-96 New Haven Coliseum + 91 79 28-5

11-28-05 Fairfield, CT 81 78 29-5

12-4-06 Providence, RI 67 50 30-5

11-14-11 Fairfield, CT 80 72 31

11-29-13 Providence, RI 78 69 33-5

11-25-20 Providence, RI 97 56 34-5

>ECAC New England Tour. +NIT

SACRED HEART UNIVERSITY

PC leads 6-0

Home: 6-0; Away: 0-0; Neutral: 0-0

DATE SITE PC OPP W-L

12-19-01 Providence, RI 85 76 1-0

12-19-07 Providence, RI 94 89 2-0

11-20-08 Providence, RI 111 87 3-0

12-21-10 Providence, RI 84 76 4-0

12-22-17 Providence, RI 89 75 5-0

11-5-19 Providence, RI 106 60 6-0

University of Wisconsin-Madison

PC leads 3-1

Home: 2-0; Away: 1-0; Neutral: 0-1

DATE SITE PC OPP W-L

12-26-61 Madison Sq. Garden * 84 95 0-1

12-9-77 Providence, RI 73 62 1-1

12-11-95 Providence, RI 58 57 2-1

12-23-96 Madison, WI 59 57 3-1

*Holiday Festival

University of New Hampshire

PC leads 15-1

Home: 10-0; Away: 5-1; Neutral: 0-0

DATE SITE PC OPP W-L

2-7-28 Durham, NH 36 23 1-0

2-9-29 Durham, NH 41 24 2-0

2-26-30 Durham, NH 23 27 2-1

2-17-31 Durham, NH 31 21 3-1

2-13-32 Durham, NH 23 7 4-1

2-11-33 Durham, NH 35 27 5-1

1-7-80 Providence, RI 71 46 6-1

11-24-89 Providence, RI < 70="" 49="">

12-1-90 Providence, RI 103 70 8-1

11-22-91 Providence, RI 92 73 9-1

12-5-92 Providence, RI 56 27 10-1

12-1-93 Providence, RI 92 60 11-1

11-25-95 Providence, RI 92 78 12-1

11-23-05 Providence, RI 75 51 13-1

12-20-11 Providence, RI 67 52 14-1

11-30-16 Providence, RI 76 62 15-1

Northwestern

PC leads 2-1

Home: 1-0; Away: 0-1; Neutral: 1-0

DATE SITE PC OPP W-L

12-28-66 Madison Sq. Garden * 91 79 1-0

12-30-81 Providence, RI < 53="" 52="">

11-13-19 Evanston, IL $q 63 72 2-1

*Holiday Festival

$Gavitt Tipoff Games

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Alyn Breed

Jared Bynum

David Duke

Andrew Fonts

Luke Fonts

Noah Horchler

Nate Watson

Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Pitt (Exhibition) on October 19, 2025 , Loss , 74, to, 81

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Harvard (Exhibition) on October 25, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Holy Cross on November 3, 2025 at 7:15 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Virginia Tech on November 8, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Penn on November 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball at Colorado on November 14, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. ET

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus New Hampshire on November 18, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Penn State on November 22, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus Wisconsin on November 27, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. ET

Upcoming Event: Men's Basketball versus TCU or Florida on November 28, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.ET/5:30 p.m. ET

Providence College Athletics