Providence's Conference Schedule is Out!
Taking a look at key matchups, the best road trips, difficult stretches, February opportunities, and more
The day Providence fans have been waiting for has finally come, as the Big East released its conference schedule on Thursday. Game times and broadcasting options will be announced at a later date.
Let’s take a look at rivalry games, enticing road trips, potential landmines, opportunities to get hot, and more.
The Friars score a pair of ideal Saturday road games: Jon Rothstein, of CBS Sports, reported earlier this week that Providence will travel to Madison Square Garden to take on St. John’s on Saturday, Jan. 3. PC always has a strong contingent at the Garden, and there could be even more Friar fans in attendance considering how closely this one falls after New Year’s Day.
Rick Pitino, Bryce Hopkins, and the Friars in a day game at MSG (the Knicks play that night)? See you there.
For the first time since Ed Cooley left for Georgetown, the Hoyas will host Providence on a weekend. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 7. Providence closes out its regular season in D.C., and they should have significant support at Capital One Arena. If both programs are fighting for a tournament spot, it could be a wild one.
Providence has a chance to start hot. Kim English’s group kicks off conference play on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Butler and returns home six days later for its Big East home opener versus Seton Hall.
Projections are harder to make than ever in the portal era, but this shapes up as an excellent opportunity for the Friars to get off to a 2-0 start in league play. Seton Hall will likely be projected to finish last in the Big East, while Butler has been struggling in recent years.
Welcoming UConn, Georgetown, and St. John’s to the AMP. The Huskies come to Providence for a mid-week tilt (Wednesday, Jan. 7), while the Friars host both Georgetown (Jan. 24) and St. John’s (Feb. 14) on Saturdays.
January starts with a bang. Both St. John’s and Connecticut are projected top 10 teams this season, and Providence will play them back-to-back to kick off January. The Jan. 3 game at St. John’s is followed by a trip from the Huskies four days later.
Providence also plays Georgetown (Jan. 24) and UConn (Jan. 27 in Storrs) in short order before traveling out to Villanova for a Friday night game at the Pavilion on Jan. 30.
February is filled with opportunity. If Providence enters February with a solid record, they could be in very good shape, as the schedule looks to lighten at that point.
The Friars host Butler (Feb. 4) and DePaul (Feb. 7) to kick off the month. They’ll then travel to Newark to play Seton Hall on Feb. 11.
Following those three games, PC hosts St. John’s, and has a week off before playing at DePaul (Feb. 21). They then return home to host Providence graduate Richard Pitino and Xavier on Feb. 24.
The month closes with a tough road trip to Creighton, but February feels like a real opportunity.
PC finishes out the season at home against Marquette (March 4) and on the road at Georgetown.
See the full schedule at Friars.com:
Feb looks real forgiving