With the announcement/birthday weekend upon us I thought it would be a good idea to take a look at the schools 2015 PG recruit Justin Robinson is considering for his final 4. When I began writing this article I planned on doing all four schools on the list but it has become increasingly clear that this will come down to a two horse race between Providence and Virginia Tech. Maryland apparently has pulled out of the race this week and is focusing on JUCO transfer Jaylen Brantley in 2015 while UNLV always seemed like the outsider of the final group.
The Providence Journal’s Kevin McNamara is reporting that the Dunkin’ Donuts Center has reached out to URI to let them know that they are interested in bidding for the A10 Conference Tournament that has now been displaced from the Barclays Center in 2017 and 2018 due to a deal with the ACC. The Dunk was a host of first and second round NCAA Tournament games in 2010 and they are reportedly trying to get first and second round NCAA Tournament games back. I think if they end up getting a crack at the A10 tournament, it will go a long way in getting the NCAA to consider them again to host first and second round games.
Providence has increased their hotel situations over the last few years and there is no shortage of great dining to be had (just ask Jon Rothstein). From my view, there is no reason the A10 or NCAA should overlook the Dunk. I know PC fans would love to have the NCAA tournament back at the Dunk and they might even stop in to watch some A10 tourney action for the right matchup.
Brackets have been announced and PC managed to avoid a first round play-in game by winning last night. Xavier did draw that fate and will take on NC State. The Friars are an 11 seed and will be playing the 6 seed North Carolina Tarheels. They are in the East region playing in San Antonio. Being in the East region is important because if you look WAY ahead, the Elite 8 in the East region will be played at Madison Square Garden. There are also potential matchups against Villanova or UConn down the line in that Elite 8. But obviously beating the 6 seeded Tarheels will be a massive undertaking. I’ll have a full review of UNC early in the week followed by a full game preview of this game on Wednesday or Thursday. Ed Cooley and the Friars are playing with house money at this point but that won’t change their motivation. This team is on a mission and they aren’t going to be happy just to have made the Big Dance, they want to make history.
pcbb1917.com - Providence College Basketball 