Diving Into Every Team in the Non-conference Schedule

KenPom and Synergy rankings from a year ago, returnees, key newcomers, and storylines for each of Providence's non-conference opponents.

Tuesday, Nov. 8 vs. Rider: The Broncs return four starters from a team that reached the MAAC tournament semifinals, despite finishing 14-19 overall and 8-12 in league play last season. They upset Rick Pitino and Iona in their conference tournament. Six-foot guard Dwight Murray Jr. will be one to watch in the season opener. He was an all-league performer a season ago, and should vie for first team honors this season. PC has played Rider twice during the Ed Cooley era, and both games were close — an 88-84 victory in 2017, and a 73-65 win in 2015. Ben Bentil had a 19-point, 12-rebound double double in 2015 (with Kris Dunn sidelined).

• 2021-22 Record: 14-19

• KenPom National Ranking: 224th (out of 358)

• KenPom Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 251st

• KenPom Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 194th

• Synergy Offensive Ranking: .846 points per possession (16th percentile)

• Synergy Defensive Rating: .882 points per possession (52nd percentile)

Saturday, Nov. 12 vs. Northeastern: Cooley will meet up with fellow Al Skinner disciple Bill Coen, who was an assistant coach at URI and Boston College under Skinner. Expected to finish in the top half of the CAA, the Huskies will lean on fifth-year big man Chris Doherty, a Notre Dame transfer who led the league in rebounding last season. This will mark the first time Cooley has coached against Northeastern as head man of the Friars.

• 2021-22 Record: 9-22

• KenPom National Ranking: 255th

• KenPom Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 285th

• KenPom Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 216th

• Synergy Offensive Ranking: .882 points per possession (37th percentile)

• Synergy Defensive Ranking: .934 points per possession (15th percentile)