March 2009
111 posts
1 tag
Alex Kellogg Leaves Friars
Alex Kellogg Leaves Men’s Basketball Team
Providence College men’s basketball coach Keno Davis announced today that student-athlete Alex Kellogg (Columbus, Ohio) has left the men’s basketball team. Kellogg, a sophomore, played in 19 games this season for the Friars.
“Alex is interested in pursuing other options,” Davis said. “He is a hard working young man...
2 tags
Marshon Dunk #7 On SportsCenter Top Plays of the...
H/T XSkiX598
1 tag
Quote of the Year [Awards]
Many scoffed at Keno Davis after reading this quote after the brutal 103-84 Notre Dame home loss.
“If we can somehow find a way to beat [Pittsburgh on Tuesday], people will probably forget about this game pretty quickly.”
Keno Davis via Projo.com
And forget we did.
1 tag
Photo of the Year [Awards]
Among all the amazing pictures fans sent in of “The Court Storm”, this screengrab from SNY is my winner for photo of the year (narrowly edging out the Female Friar Fanatic texting during foul shots).
Watching Jonathan Kale embrace Geoff McDermott in the sea of people definitely made my eyes water.
1 tag
Video of the Year [Awards]
Without question, here is the video of the year. Still gives me goosebumps.
Play of the Year Nominations [Ask the Readers]
Trying to think of all the best plays that occurred over the past 5 months is kind of difficult (especially since I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night). What do you think the play of the year was?
I’ll throw some out off the top of my head
McDermott’s two foul shots to beat URI
Xavier’s nail in the coffin three against Pitt
Curry’s threes againt...
1 tag
Thank You Seniors [Game Recaps]
I just want to forget that this game ever happened. It’s not that the Friars played uninspired or gave up or anything (they played really hard), I just don’t want this game to be remembered as the last game at the DUNK for this senior class. I want their last memory there to be Jonathan Kale kissing midcourt with the sea of people swarming the players. Screw this game, screw the NIT...
1 tag
“For one reason or another, we did not play our best game and we struggled to get...”
– Keno Davis via Projo.com
And That's The Season Folks
The Providence Friars have officially ended their 2008-09 season by losing to Miami in the first round of the NIT, 78-66.
Jack McClinton, 1st Teamer ACC, scored a game high 25 points on a nasty 7-14 from downtown, including two clutch treys with under two minutes remaining.
Wey led the Friars in scoring with 16 points, mostly from the line (9-10). Brian McKenzie (!) was 2nd with 13 points on 4...
The BIG EAST is Under Pressure - that burns a...
Dana O’Neil has an article on ESPN.com about the heavy expectations the BIG EAST faces in the NCAA Tournament.
All eyes on Big East to perform
Hey, even Providence is still being mentioned!
In October, no one envisioned Notre Dame crumbling through a seven-game skid and falling to 8-10 in the league, nor did anyone expect Georgetown, after its 12-3 start, to spiral to a 16-13 finish.
...
1 tag
NIT Bracket Challenge Update
With half of the first round of the NIT over, here are the current standings for the Friarblog.com NIT Bracket Challenge (34 contestants).
5 people were a perfect 8-8 in the picks, including yours truly (go Davidson!). Three of those 5 have Providence to win it all, so a loss tonight would wipe out the perfectioness.
Here is the top 10 (1 pt for a 1st round correct pick)
1 Friarblog...
1 tag
When You Enter THE DUNK, Will You Hear "Welcome To...
INFO
Time: 7PM
Location: THE DUNK
TV: ESPN2
GAMBLING AND PREDICTIONS
Spread: Providence -2.5 [ProvidenceStats Twitter]
Ken Pomeroy: Miami W 77-76 (51% confidence)
PREVIEW
Tonight the Providence Friars will face the team formerly known as “Miami from the BIG EAST” in the first round of the NIT. For some godforsaken unknown reason, Miami has a higher seed than PC, even though...
1 tag
Amazing Weyinmi Efejuku Desktop Wallpaper
Rjsuperfly66 sent this link in to the comments section, and I thought it should be given it’s own post.
For an awesome high-resolution 1280x1024 graphic of Weyinmi Efejuku that is perfect for your computer’s desktop background, CLICK HERE.
Here is a smaller preview
designed by Kevin Pulliam
So what if his playing career with the Friars is almost over? It’s still pretty...
1 tag
Rhody and Steph Advance [NIT]
Two #6 seeds picked up upsets over #3 seeds on Wednesday night in the first round of the NIT (2-0 in the NIT Bracket Challenge baby!). Is the #3/#6 game akin to the #5/#12 games of the NCAA Tournament? It appears so!
URI beat #3 Niagra 68-62 thanks to Kahiem Seawright’s 20 2nd half points (23 overall), and Jimmy Baron, who scored 20 points overall — including 6 big foul shots...
1 tag
NIT Bracket Challenge! Hurry, It Starts Tonight at...
I’m sure everyone has about 5-10 of their own NCAA Tournament Brackets to fill out, so I figured why start another one with readers of Friarblog.com? To change things up, I decided to put together an NIT Bracket Challenge Contest!
It wasn’t easy to find, but I found a site where you can create your own bracket and enter in the custom teams. The NIT gets no love!
REGISTRATION...
1 tag
Sports Xchange Friars Report (3/17/09)
Getting Inside
The problem was that not enough of those wins came against quality teams, and there were too many losses in there in non-conference play to make up for that. Providence went 2-8 against teams making the NCAA Tournament and finished the year 5-7 in its last 12 games. That sent the Friars to the NIT instead.
If nothing else, it gives the Providence senior class another game before...
Around the BIG EAST Blogosphere, NCAA Tournament...
Now that we’ve had a full day to digest the whole NIT seeding / completing snubbing, I wanted to give a shout out to all of the BIG EAST bloggers whose team made the NCAA Tournament. I’m not gonna lie, I’m insanely jealous. However, being a rookie blogger, Friarblog.com is going to get some great post-season experience in following the NIT. Gotta work on those post-up moves...
2 tags
Keno Davis appeared on WEEI on Monday Morning, and...
1 tag
The Weirdness of Being the Lower-Seeded "Home"...
I was perusing through the “Team Manual” PDF on the official NIT site. Yes, it’s been a depressing Monday.
First of all, due to a scheduling conflict at Miami’s home court on Wednesday, the first round NIT matchup between #4 seed Miami and #5 Providence will be in Providence at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Why didn’t they just make us the higher seed?!? Stay...
1 tag
Full NIT Bracket
2009 NIT Bracket
2 tags
CBSSports BlogPoll: Week 6 Ballot
The next to last ballot
1 Louisville 4
2 North Carolina
3 Pittsburgh 2
4 Connecticut 1
5 Memphis 1
6 Duke 4
7 Oklahoma 1
8 Michigan St. 2
9 Villanova
10Wake Forest 3
11 Gonzaga
12 Syracuse 7
13 Missouri 2
14 Washington
15 UCLA 2
16 Kansas 4
17 Florida St. 3
18 Purdue 7
19 Marquette 3
20 Butler 3
21 ...
OK, So Would PC At Least Make the Snub List of the...
I didn’t have the pleasure of watching the Selection Show on CBS. Instead I had to listen on WFAN to hear Arizona being picked in the field of 65. Apparently, CBS didn’t even mention Providence among the teams that were just left out (not sure how many/who they showed though). Geesh, I love “How I Met Your Mother” and “Big Bang Theory” and all, but CBS we are...
1 tag
“It’s tough right now for all of us. But once we get in that game, people...”
– Jeff Xavier on the NIT bid, via cbs4.com
1 tag
A #5 Seed in the NIT?
I realize this is “just the NIT”, but I was starting to come to grips with getting into following the tournament just as the Friars seed in the NIT was about to be announced. Afterall, it’s more PC basketball to watch.
Then I hear this.
#5: Providence Friars
#4: Miami Hurricanes
A 5th seed in the NIT? How did we go from discussing Providence as one of the last teams out in...
Watch Stream of NIT Selection Show (Live @ 9PM)
Well, no NCAA bid for the Friars as expected (Arizona? What?)…We’ll have to watch the NIT selection show instead…you can watch it below LIVE at 9PM through Justin.tv (it’s on ESPNU)
Watch live video from webcamnow1234’s channel on Justin.tv
Selection Sunday: "So You're Telling Me There's a...
Selection Sunday is finally upon us. For the Providence Friars, the NIT is looking like the most likely destination. However, we never know what exactly the committee will be thinking as they pick those last few teams, so there is still a chance (no matter how small). The Fact of the Matter is that PC finished 8th place and won 10 regular season games in the toughest conference in America. So...
2 tags
CNN.com Video: How an underdog capitalizes on a...
via Friars.com
Providence College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, Athletics Director Bob Driscoll and Head Coach Keno Davis are featured in a CNN.com story about college basketball. The interviews were conducted by 2007 Providence College graduate Ian Orefice.
1 tag
“My stomach is in knots right now. I’m just so nervous. I just want to play...”
– Keno Davis via Yahoo.com
1 tag
Not the Kind of 'ology We Were Hoping For
It’s pretty clear that the Friars will land in the NIT (barring some Selection Committee Miracle). While it’s a little disappointing, at least we can all have a stress-free Sunday. In the meantime, Friar fans now have to check out NITology.com to see where they stand in the NIT seedings. Hey, at least we are “solidly in” this one!
As of Saturday morning, PC is a #3...
Hoo turn off mah bubblez?
Some bubbles have been burst today (South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Kentucky, Wisconsin), so let’s hope it continues throughout the night! Here is an appropriate LOLcat to start your weekend.
UPDATE: With Maryland, Temple, Dayton, and SD State winning tonight, the Friars are now wondering who turned off the bubblez. With their chances of receiving an At-large bid pretty much zero,...
2 tags
Joey Brackets Chat Chock Full 'O PC References
Lunardi’s responses aren’t really surprising here, given he no longer has PC among the LAST EIGHT OUT.
Joe Lunardi Chat Friday Afternoon
jeremy compton(berkeley springs, WV) [via mobile]: With the obvious dominance of the big east teams (we ‘could’ have 3 #1 seeds but that won’t happen) why not let Providence in? yes, they looked terrible against L’ville (oh...
Who to Root For Like Crazy Today
With PC’s NCAA fate out of their hands, it’s only hope is for the rest of the bubble teams to falter and for no other surprises in the mid-major tournaments to happen. Here is what we need REALLY BAD today.
ACC
UNC over Virginia tech (Noon on ESPN2)
Wake Forest over Maryland (7PM on ESPN2)
BIG TEN
Purdue over Penn State (9PM)
A-10
Xavier over Temple (6:30PM)
MWC
BYU over San...
2 tags
ESPN Bubble Watch Friday Update
Updated Bubble Watch
Let’s face it: It’ll be quite some time before anyone at Madison Square Garden will be talking about anything other than that six-overtime classic between Syracuse and Connecticut on Thursday night. The only Big East mystery besides seeding that remains is Providence, the last bubble team from the league. The Friars lost to Louisville 73-55 in Thursday’s...
Why the BEAST Is the BEST
It’s definitely a bleary eyed morning after watching the epic Syracuse-UCONN game last night. Definitely the greatest game I’ve ever seen, and I almost missed it. After PC’s loss yesterday, I wasn’t in much of a mood to watch any more basketball for the day. I didn’t even have the Villanova-Marquette game on in the background. Eh, so I missed a buzzer beater. I...
1 tag
Final Louisville Roundup [Game Recaps]
Well, not much more to say about the loss this afternoon. Louisville was clearly the better team, and won fairly easily despite not playing their best basketball. Here is the usual recap shenanigans.
LETS TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT ‘THE FOUR FACTORS’
more on the Four Factors
NCAA Basketball Stats
NCAA Basketball Stats
OTHER STAT NOTES
Possessions: 75
Efficiency Ratings
PC: 73.3
...
1 tag
“It would be the best news I’ve ever heard in my life if they say that. We’ll...”
– Weyinmi Efejuku via Projo.com
Good News Friar Fans: NCAA Expands March Madness...
This Onion video should give Friar fans a needed laugh.
NCAA Expands March Madness To Include 4,096 Teams
1 tag
Pitino Thinks the Friars Should Get NCAA Bid
From ZagsBlog
“Anytime you go over .500 in the ACC, the Big 10, the Big East, you should automatically be in,” Pitino said. “I don’t want to hear about all the other stuff. You should automatically be in.”
“We all know that this league is not down,” Pitino said. “We all know that Providence beat the No. 1 team in the country. You also look at the talent, they have five 1,000-point scorers.
“In...
1 tag
PC - Louisville Highlights
via ESPN.com
NCAA Fate Now Out Of Friars Hands With Loss to...
The Providence Friars have been eliminated from the BIG EAST Tournament.
Louisville’s pressure defense and strong inside game was just too much for the Friars, as they defeat PC 73-55. It was an incredibly sloppy game on both ends — both teams had 20+ turnovers. However, the Friars couldn’t shoot the ball well at all, finishing 21-62 from the field (33.9%), and a disastrous...
Watch Stream of PC-Louisville
For those at work…
Watch live video from Dell’s Dive on Justin.tv
BET Round 3 vs. Louisville: Open Thread
Another early start for the Friars, as tip-off is about an hour away.
If this doesn’t get you pumped up, nothing will!
In the meantime, here are some pregame articles:
Spread: Louisville -9.5
StatSheet.com Pregame
Friars.com Gamenotes [pdf]
The Friars entered the BIG EAST Tournament as a No. 8 seed. PC fi nished the season in eighth place in the BIG EAST with a 10-8 record. ...
1 tag
ESPN Bubble Watch Update
PC survives for now, while A&M makes its Sunday a little more uneasy
Providence, the lone remaining Big East bubble team, struggled to put away the Blue Demons on Wednesday before finally pulling away for an 83-74 win. Next up for the Friars: No. 1 seed Louisville in Thursday’s quarterfinals. With only two victories over RPI top-50 opponents, the Friars might have to beat the Cardinals...
1 tag
Matija Poscic Now Knows McDermott Played Football
Trying to tackle Geoff McDermott head on is most likely not the best idea.
I’m not sure who has that Ninja-like grip on the basketball to the right (or if McD just ripped off somone’s arm as he ripped the ball for a steal), but I’m guessing they called a foul on Poscic for having his arm wrapped around McD’s body.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
PC - DePaul Highlights
Apparently Friarblog.com Hearts 'Nova
I’m sure my Villanova blogging buddies will get a kick out of this. In the basement of Stout after the game, there was this random table set up for what looked like a Villanova gathering of some sort. Odd, since they didn’t even play yesterday.
Apparently I swiped some of the Villanova goodies and wore this all night.
Beer, Food, and Basketball Bliss!
Finally, after 11 years and 7 or 8 trips to Madison Square Garden, I got to see the Providence Friars win a game in the BIG EAST Tournament. I don’t care that it was against DePaul. It was a great win in my mind, and now PC is among the last 8 teams standing.
We sat in the highest section in the first row, which wasn’t too bad because it was right in the middle of the court. In...
1 tag
Time to TCB at the BET [Game Previews / Open...
Heading off to Madison Square Garden! I hope everyone has a chance to somehow watch/follow the game. In one of the few BET games I missed over the last 10 years (of course they only one they won, in 2003), I was stuck at some crappy temp job on a computer with no internet access….I know!!! Anyway, I was able to fineagle some internet by convincing the IT guy that I desperately needed...
Cleveland State Just Stole a Bubble Spot
Cleveland State just upset #16 Butler 57-54 to win the Horizon League tourney championship and steal a Bubble spot, since Butler is already a lock. Not good for the Friars.
Who is Cleveland State’s coach? Former Rutgers coach Gary Waters. That sound you just heard? Thousands of Rutgers fans simultaneously throwing up around the country. While the Horizon League is no BIG EAST, Rutgers...