Providence
October 13, 2003 04:46 PM | General
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03-04 Schedule | 02-03 Stats | Roster
2002-03 Record: 18-14
Postseason: NIT third round
Big East Repeat Opponents: Boston College; Seton Hall; Villanova
Non-Conference Schedule: Hofstra; Alabama; South Florida; Rhode Island; Illinois; Central Connecticut; Richmond; Siena; Virginia; Texas; Loyola (Chicago)
Head Coach: Tim Welsh (151-95, 8 years)
Players to Watch: F, Ryan Gomes (18.4 ppg., 9.7 rpg.); G, Abdul Mills (14.5 ppg.*); G, Sheiku Kabba (10.0 ppg.)
* 2001-02 statistics
Bob Gibbons Top 300 Newcomers: Dwight Brewington (#89); Jeff Parmer (#249)
Preseason Capsule
Forward Ryan Gomes is the best player the nation has never heard of
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Providence could be the one Big East team lying in the bushes ready to ambush people. Coach Tim Welsh has constructed a very formidable team this year with almost everyone back from a squad that won 18 games last season and advanced to the second round of the NIT.
Providence isn’t on people’s radar screens yet, but that could change by mid-year.
Although those in the Big East are well aware of forward Ryan Gomes, other folks around the country haven’t yet been introduced to the best player no one’s heard of. The 6-foot-7 bruiser led the Friars in scoring (18.4 ppg.) and rebounding (9.7 rpg.) as a sophomore. He posted 17 double-doubles, shot 84 percent from the foul line and is a legitimate candidate for Big East player of the year honors this season.
The Friars don’t stop with Gomes, either. Point guard Donnie McGrath and shooting guard Sheiku Kabba gave teams fits in the backcourt, combining to average nearly 20 points per game. In addition, Providence will also have back 6-foot-3 guard Abdul Mills, who was sidelined for the entire season with a hip injury. Mills led Providence in scoring two years ago with a 14.5 average.
Six-ten center Marcus Douthit gives Providence size in the paint and averaged 3.0 blocks per game, ranking 11th nationally. Three European forwards in Tuukka Kotti, Maris Laksa and Chris Anrin provide excellent outside shooting and versatility.
Although Providence’s top recruit Gerald Brown wasn’t given the green light by the NCAA Clearinghouse, two other recruits – Dwight Brewington and Jeff Parmer – could help.
Providence has winnable Big East repeat games against Boston College, Seton Hall and Villanova and could make a big splash nationally with non-conference games against Alabama, Illinois, Virginia and Texas.
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