Men's Basketball Game Notes vs.DePaul

Friars Looking To Capture Third BIG EAST Title: In the Friars' 41-year history at the BIG EAST Tournament, the team has captured the BIG EAST Champion- ship title twice - 1994 and 2014. When they captured their first title, the Friars defeated Georgetown, 74-64, on March 13, 1994 in the championship game. In 2014, Providence earned a 65-58 win over Creighton in the championship game. In 2019, the Friars posted a 1-1 mark in the BIG EAST Tournament.

Friar Tid Bits Entering Wednesday's Game:
*On Wednesday, the Friars will play just their fourth game in the last 22 days.
*The Friars have posted a 2-2 mark versus ranked teams this season, with a wins at No. 11 Creighton and at home versus No. 10 Villanova.
*The Friars are 4-1 in their last five games versus DePaul and 1-0 all-time in the BIG EAST Tourney vs. DePaul *Ed Cooley is 13-5 all-time versus DePaul as a head coach at Providence.
*Ed Cooley has posted an 8-7 mark all-time in BIG EAST Tournament action.
*The Friars are 8-3 this season at Alumni Hall, 4-7 on the road and 1-2 in neutral site games.
*Noah Horchler needs nine points to reach 1,000 for his career. He scored 833 points at North Florida before transferring to Providence in 2019. He was required to sit out last season. He has 158 points this season.
*Jimmy Nichols has missed the last seven games with an injury. He will not return to action this season.
*Jared Bynum suffered a lower body injury on Jan. 2 vs. Creighton. He missed nine games due 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.
*David Duke was named BIG EAST Player of the Week on Feb. 15. It marked his second Player of the Week honor this season. He was named to the Honor Roll five times.
*David Duke scored his 1,000th career point on Feb. 24 versus Xavier. He now has 1,044 career points.
*Nate Watson scored his 1,000th career point on Dec. 20 versus Seton Hall. He now has 1,299 career points.
*Nate Watson (421 pts) and David Duke (431 pts) have scored 49 percent (852 pts) of the team's 1,754 points this season. Nine other players have combined to score 902 points.
*David Duke had a season high of 31 points vs. Marquette on Jan. 27. It was his second 30-point game this season.
*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 has earned that honor four times this season.
*Three of the Friars' 10 league losses were by a combined four points (Creighton 67-65; at Xavier 74-73 and at Georgetown 73-72.

Friars To Play DePaul On Wednesday, March 10 In BIG EAST First Round: The Friars will play at DePaul on Wednesday, March 10 at 9:00 p.m. on FS1 in the First Round of the BIG EAST Tournament. The Friars have posted a 1-0 mark in BIG EAST Tournament games versus the Blue Demons. In the only meeting between the two teams in the BIG EAST Tournament, the eighth-seeded Friars earned an 83-74 win to open the tournament on March 11, 2009 versus DePaul.

Friars All-Time Versus DePaul: Providence and DePaul have met 46 times in school history, with the first meeting coming on February 16, 1961 when the Friars earned an 81-77 victory in Providence. The Friars lead the all-time series, 34-12. PC has recorded a 19-4 record versus DePaul in Providence, a 13-8 mark on the road and a 2-0 record on neutral courts. The teams have met 26 times since DePaul joined the BIG EAST with the Friars recording a 19-7 mark. In the first game between the two teams this season, the Friars earned a 95-90 win in overtime in Providence on December 27. In the most recent meeting, the Friars defeated the Blue Demons, 57-47, on February 13, 2021 in Chicago.

Watson And Duke Named Second Team All-BIG EAST: It was announced on March 7 that Providence College senior center Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) and junior guard David Duke (Providence, R.I.) each earned All-BIG EAST Second Team honors. It marks the first time since 2017 that the Friars have had two players earn all-league honors. Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) is leading the Friars in rebounding (6.6 rpg). He ranks second on the team and fourth in the league in scoring (16.8 ppg). Duke, who is averaging a team-best 17.2 ppg and 4.8 apg, ranks third in the league in scoring and second in assists. The junior ranks first in the league in minutes played at 37.2 mpg.

Friars Defeat No. 10 Villanova: In the Friars' most recent game, the team defeated the No. 10 Villanova Wildcats, 54-52, on Saturday, March 6 at Alumni Hall in Providence, R.I. With the win, the Friars conclude the regular season with a record of 13-12 overall and 9-10 in BIG EAST play. The Friars improved to 2-2 on the season versus ranked teams. Senior Nate Watson (Ports- mouth, Va.) and junior David Duke (Providence, R.I.) were the driving forces in the win, with 20 points each. Noah Horchler (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) finished with a double-double, with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

David Duke Registers His 1,000th Career Points: Junior David Duke (Providence, R.I.) scored his 1,000th career point on February 24 in the Friars' win versus Xavier. He became the 52nd Friar all-time to register 1,000 career points. In 90 career games, Duke has registered 1,044 points (11.6 ppg).

Watson Leading The Friars In Rebounding: Senior Nate Watson (Portsmouth, Va.) is leading the Friars in rebounding (6.6 rpg). He ranks second on the team and fourth the league in scoring (16.8 ppg). In 25 games this season, he has recorded four double-doubles and seven games with 20 or more points. Watson is shooting 60 percent (173-287) from the field.

Duke First On The Team In Scoring And Second In Rebounding: Junior David Duke (Providence, R.I.), who is averaging a team-best 17.2 ppg and 4.8 apg, ranks third in the league in scoring and second in assists. The junior ranks first in the league in minutes played at 37.2 mpg. He also leads PC in steals (1.2 spg), while averaging 6.4 rebounds per game, which is second best on the squad. Duke is shooting 39.0 percent (142-363) from the field, including 40 percent (50-127) from three-point territory.

Horchler Over The Last Seven Games: Senior Noah Horchler (Melbourne Beach, Fla.) has stepped up his game over the last seven contests. In the last seven games, Horchler is averaging 10.7 ppg, 9.0 rpg and 1.1 bpg. He also is shooting a team best 43 percent (12-28) from three-point territory through those seven games. Junior Jimmy Nichols (Conway, S.C.) has missed the last seven games with an injury.

Duke Named BIG EAST Player Of The Week: It was announced on February 15 that junior guard David Duke (Providence, R.I.) was named BIG EAST Player of the Week. It marked the second time that Duke has earned the league player of the week accolades this season. Duke averaged 17.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals as the Friars posted a 2-0 mark last week. Duke scored 17 points and grabbed six rebounds in the Friars' 70-59 win over UConn on February 10. On February 13, the junior guard scored a game-high 17 points and tied his career high with 13 boards in a 57-47 victory at DePaul.

Watson Scores A Career High 30 Points Versus St. John's: Senior center 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 field.

Duke Registers His Second 30-Point Game Of The Season: Junior David Duke (Providence, R.I.) scored a season-high 31 points in the Friars' win over Marquette on January 27. He was 10-22 from the field, including 4-8 from three. He also scored 30 points while shooting 11-18 from the field, including 7-9 from three-point territory in the Friars' loss at Xavier on January 10. Duke has posted three 30-point efforts in his career.

Duke Played 48 Minutes Vs. DePaul: Junior David Duke (Providence, R.I.) played 48 of the 50 minutes in the Friars' double overtime win over DePaul on December 27. It was the most minutes played by a Friar in a single game since Bryce Cotton played 50 minutes in a double overtime win over Marquette on March 4, 2014. Duke is first in the conference in minutes played at 37.1 mpg.

Nate Watson Registers His 1,000th Career Points: Senior 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 121 career games, Watson has registered 1,299 points (10.7 ppg).

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: Freshman 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.

Duke Named BIG EAST Player of the Week On Dec. 14: It was announced on December 14 that junior guard David Duke (Providence, R.I.) was named BIG EAST Player of the Week. Duke, who was named Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team, earned the league Player of the Week accolades for the first time in his career. In the Friars' only game of week, Duke led the Friars with 28 points and seven assists in the team's 79-70 win at TCU on December 9. It marked Duke's second consecutive game with 28 points. Duke was 11-19 from the field, including 5-8 from three-point territory in the win.

Duke Named To Maui Invitational All-Tournament Team: Junior David Duke (Providence, R.I.) averaged 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in three games in the Maui Invitational and was named to the Maui Invitational All-Tournament Team on December 2 .

Ed Cooley Wearing A Towel In-Game To Honor John Thompson: Friar Head Coach Ed Cooley will wear a towel on his shoulder each game to honor the late John Thompson. Thompson was a 1964 graduate of Providence College. "Coach Thompson was a friend and a mentor to me. The things he did for a coach like me were tremendous. I owe him this appreciation." - Ed Cooley.

Friars At Alumni Hall: The Friars opened the season on Wednesday, 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.

Geeter And Castro Each Sign A NLI To Attend Providence In 2021-22: Providence College men's basketball coach Ed Cooley announced today (Nov. 13) that student-athletes Legend Geeter (River Rouge, Mich.) and Rafael Castro (Dover, N.J.) each have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Providence College beginning in September 2021. Geeter, a 6-foot-8-inch, 220-pound forward, is in his senior year at River Rouge High School. He is coached by LaMonta Stone at River Rouge. Last season, Geeter averaged 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two blocks per game while helping lead River Rouge to a 20-1 mark. For his efforts, he earned The Detroit News Division 1 First Team All-State honors. River Rouge, which has won more state titles (14) than any other program in Michigan, was ranked No. 1 in the state and looking to capture the state title in 2020 when the season was cut short due to the COV- ID-19 pandemic. Geeter is a 2021 candidate for Mr. Basketball, which is an annual award given out each year to the top player in the state. Former Friar LaDontae Henton of Lansing was a runner up for Mr. Basketball honors in 2011. Geeter played AAU basketball for The Family, which is where former Friars Henton and Junior Lomomba also played. He is ranked as the 48th best power forward in the county and the fifth best in Michigan by 247Sports.com. Rivals.com has Geeter ranked as the 37th power best forward in the nation. Castro, a 6-foot-10-inch, 200-pound forward attends Dover High School. As a junior at Dover, he averaged 20.3 points, 16.3 rebounds, 4.7 blocks, 2.2 assists and 1.5 steals. He is coached by Billy Connors. Castro played for the Dominican Republic at the 2019 CentroBasket U17 Championship. He averaged 4.2 points and 3.8 rebounds while helping the team to a fourth-place finish. Castro played AAU ball for Team Rio University. He is ranked as the 30th best power forward in the country and the third best player in New Jersey, according to 247Sports.com. Rivals.com ranked Castro as the 136th best player in the country and the No. 23 power forward.

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 194-134 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 this season. 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 uni- forms 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 2020-21 campaign marks the 94th season of basketball at Providence College. Since the program started in 1926-27, Providence has posted a 1,495-1,007 mark, good for a .598 winning percentage. The Friars have made the NCAA Tournament 20 times and the National Invitation Tournament on 20 occasions.

-GO FRIARS!-

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Players Mentioned

Alyn Breed

Jared Bynum

David Duke

Noah Horchler

Nate Watson

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