Friar All-Time Teams: Part II

Who were some of the best players PC has ever played against? Who are the best broadcasters in Friar history? How about the 'what could have beens'? Craig Leighton takes a look back.

After last week's article on All-Time Friar Teams, I still had several categories left over that I could not fit in, so I figured I would add Part II this week. Once again, these are my own opinions and are very subjective.

All-Time Friar Opponents Team

Lew Alcindor (UCLA): Maybe the greatest center in NBA history, Alcindor's UCLA team defeated the Jim Larranaga/Ray Johnson-led Friars in the ECAC Holiday Festival in New York City. Here’s what Sports Illustrated wrote at the time, “UCLA disposed of Providence 98-81 despite 36 points by Vic Collucci and breezed past Princeton 83-67. Lew Alcindor effortlessly dumped in 26 points against the Friars and 40 against the Tigers, but his nonchalance did not endear him to Garden fans. Obviously miffed—by the boos and a profusion of goal-tending calls—he bestirred himself against Princeton. He forsook his usual five-foot drop-ins and moved away from the basket, where he dribbled, moved with speed and scored almost at will.”

Bill Walton (UCLA): One of the greatest college centers in history, Walton’s UCLA team defeated Providence’s first Final Four team during the 1972-73 season. The Friars were looking for revenge when both teams reached the Final Four later that year, but a rematch in the national title game was not to be after Barnes got injured in the semifinals versus Memphis State. As the New York Times wrote at the time, PC was talking about getting revenge on UCLA before even playing Memphis State. 

Julius Erving (UMass): The Doctor actually made his college debut against PC and put the world on notice, pulling down 28 rebounds in a season-opening 90-85 victory. Dr. J scored 24 second half points in his first game. UMass fell to Providence, 73-72, a year later at Alumni Hall. Sophomore Ernie DiGregorio scored 33 points for the Friars in the victory.

David Thompson (North Carolina State): Thompson was one of the great all-time college players. His team defeated the Marvin Barnes-led Friars in the NCAA Tournament on the way to the National Championship. Thompson scored 40 points in the victory. 

Patrick Ewing (Georgetown): Ewing was an all-time Big East and NBA center whose commitment to Georgetown when he was the High School National Player of the Year helped to establish the Big East as a powerhouse conference.

Magic Johnson (Michigan State): The Bruce Campbell-led Friars were defeated by Magic's Spartans in the NCAA Tournament during Magic's freshman year in 1978. Campbell scored 24 points, while Magic finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. 

All-Time Friar Passing Team

Ernie DiGregorio: Possibly the greatest passer in college basketball history.

Bob Misevicius: Dave Gavitt frequently ran his offense through this talented passing center, who still ranks seventh in career assists at PC. 

Jamel Thomas: Big-time scorer for the Friars whose no-look interior passes were a thing of beauty.

Vincent Council: The career leader at PC in assists who had an underrated career.

Kalif Young: Sneaky-good passing man who helped open up the offense for Ed Cooley's Friars.

All-Time Friar Broadcasting Team

Chris Clark: The first voice of the Friars who introduced Rhode Island to PC basketball both on radio and television.

John Rooke: Former Rhode Island sports anchor and NBA broadcaster (San Antonio Spurs), Rooke is the long-time voice of the Friars – and member of the RI Radio Hall of Fame.

Joe Hassett: Former Friar great who has been a fixture in the Friar radio booth for decades.

Eric Reid: Reid was a Friar broadcaster who moved on to the NBA and has been broadcasting Miami Heat games for the past 32 years. 

Mike Gorman: Legendary Celtics play-by-play man used to call games for both the Friars and the Big East Conference.

All-Time Friar Name Team

God Shammgod: Perhaps the best name ever in college basketball.

Legend Geeter: Wishing him all the best in his new location.

David Duke: Took the name and made it his own.

Mladen Filipan: Had the name but did not have the game.

Weyinmi Efejuku: Underrated wing who had a very good career for the Friars.

All-Time Friar Opposing Coaches

John Wooden, UCLA: Perhaps the greatest college coach of all time.

Dean Smith, North Carolina: Came into Providence with his vaunted Four Corners offense during the Blizzard of ‘78 and left with a loss.

Mike Krzyzewski, Duke: His team may have been made up of McDonald's All Americans, and Pete Gillen's team may have eaten at McDonalds, but Pete's 1997 team defeated Duke to advance to the Elite Eight

John Thompson, Georgetown: Hall of Fame Georgetown coach and former Friar who had many great Big East battles against his alma mater. 

Jim Calhoun UConn: Yes, Jim, you f'd up when you did not take Ryan Gomes. There, I said it.

All-Time Friar “What Could Have Been” Team

Dexter Westbrook: Along with Jimmy Walker, he helped lead the Friars to the Elite Eight during his sophomore year. PC could have competed for national championships the next two years if he had stayed in school.

Marvin Barnes: Injured his knee against Memphis State in the 1973 semis. Nothing more needs to be said.

God Shammgod: It would have been nice to see him play at least one more year for the Friars

Dwight Williams: Williams could have been an All American his senior year if he did not get kicked out of school.

Ben Bentil: Bentil may have been Big East Player of the Year, had he returned for his junior season. 

All-Time Friar Sports Reporter Team

Harold Rich: Beat reporter for the Providence Journal who covered PC basketball for the morning Journal, while Joe McHenry covered the Friars for the afternoon Evening Bulletin. A different time for newspapers indeed.

Mike Stanton: Covered the Friars for several years for the Providence Journal before switching to the news side.

Bill Reynolds: Columnist for the Providence Journal whose college basketball background provided a unique perspective to his articles.

Kevin McNamara: Legendary Providence College reporter for the Providence Journal and several other outlets, who currently has his own sports radio show on WPRO, as well as his own website.

Brendan McGair: Sports reporter for the Pawtucket Times/Woonsocket Call whose PC articles provide in-depth analysis on a variety of PC basketball subjects.

All-Time “The Ones Who Got Away” Team

Tim Duncan: NBA Hall of Famer who would have come to PC, but there was no available scholarship.

Sly Williams: Former NBA player who committed to play for the Friars, but wound up at URI for the first day of classes.

Ricky Ledo: High school All American from Providence who left for the NBA before ever playing a minute for the Friars.

Jason Williams: Long-time NBA player who committed to PC, but moved on when Rick Barnes left for Clemson.

Orlando Vega: High school All American and Puerto Rican National Team veteran who enrolled at PC after originally committing to Arizona.

All-Time Underrated Team

Mike Riordan: An NBA player who was the perfect complement to Jimmy Walker during their three years together at PC.

Otis Thorpe: Tremendously talented Friar who was underrated while at PC due to a lack of a superior supporting cast. Both an NBA All Star and Champion.

Dickey Simpkins: An NBA champion and current broadcaster who had four excellent years in the paint for Rick Barnes and the Friars.

Carson Desrosiers: Talented defensive presence in the paint during Ed Cooley's first years at Providence.

LaDontae Henton: One of the most prolific scorers in PC history, even though he was usually the second option on his teams. Henton scored 2,000 points and grabbed 1,000 rebounds in his Friar career.