Why is Providence basketball so tough at home; opposing coaches weigh in

NEW YORK — A lone year at Alumni Hall due to COVID-19 restrictions couldn’t pass quickly enough. Providence College has certainly made up for lost time since returning to Amica Mutual Pavilion.

The Friars are a combined 45-8 downtown over the last three seasons, including 14-5 in Kim English’s debut season last year. Providence was off to a perfect 10-0 start before the Jan. 3 night when Bryce Hopkins was lost for the season due to a major left knee injury.

Could we see more of the same in 2024-25? A couple of opposing Big East coaches said on Monday at Madison Square Garden that the trip to face the Friars wasn’t exactly a favorite.

More: How good will these Friar foes be? Here’s what ex-PC coaches Rick Pitino and Ed Cooley said

More: Here’s what Big East coaches think of the Providence men’s basketball team

Villanova coach Kyle Neptune says, when you play in Providence, “you know it’s going to be a big-time environment.”

“When you go at Providence, you know it’s going to be a big-time environment,” Villanova coach Kyle Neptune said. “You know the team will be well-prepared. You know it’s going to be a high-level game.”

The Wildcats surged in the second half last season, recording a 71-60 victory in Providence. It was the opposite of their previous visit, an 85-72 setback that saw a one-point lead evaporate over the final 16 minutes. That turned out to be the last home win at Providence for Ed Cooley, who is entering his second season as head coach at Georgetown.

Creighton coach Greg McDermott says playing Providence at the AMP is ” just a very difficult place to play,”

“It’s just a very difficult place to play,” Creighton coach Greg McDermott said. “Coach Cooley and now Kim have done a great job preparing their teams to play. The fanbase really supports their team.”

The Friars have sold out of season tickets over multiple seasons and are fresh off a Late Night Madness event that saw Zac Brown Band serve as the headliner. Providence plays its…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-providence-basketball-tough-home-101228067.html

Author : The Providence Journal

Publish date : 2024-10-24 10:12:00

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