The most obvious thing to point to as to what makes this annual game a rivalry is the geography. Providence College and the University of Rhode Island are located in the same state. That seems to make sense to me as to why this game is considered a rivalry game. If you read stories like Craig Leighton’s well written article at FriarBasketball.com you get some perspective from a more seasoned fan as to what truly makes this a rivalry game. Perspective is always a good thing in my opinion.

From my perspective as a fan of Providence College basketball only since 2005-06 the “Saga of Sly Williams” as Leighton puts it is not something that is on my radar. I can read about it and maybe it angers me to some extent but because I wasn’t there to experience the vitriol back then I have a hard time using that as a motivating factor today. For me as a 2010 graduate of PC and a 27 year old my motivation for why this is a big game really is just because of the geography. I also happen to be a person that attended PC from out of state so I also lack the perspective of growing up around the rivalry and maybe, like some who did, having friends and even family that attended both schools.

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