PC, URI Will Not Play Annual Men's Basketball Game This Season

PC, URI Will Not Play Annual Men's Basketball Game This Season

Providence College (PC) and the University of Rhode Island (URI) will not be facing each other in the annual men's basketball game this season. 

PC Athletics Director Bob Driscoll and UURI Director of Athletics Thorr Bjorn made the joint announcement Monday morning. 

Scheduling Conflicts Cited

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According to the schools, the game will not be played due to issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the conflicts it has created with league scheduling requirements.  The two teams could not find a suitable scheduling date.

"We understand that the fans throughout Rhode Island enjoy our annual matchup with URI," Driscoll stated.  "Unfortunately, the circumstances this season made it too difficult to schedule the game.  We have had discussions with Thorr and the coaches at URI and we are all in agreement that we will resume the series next season."

The 2020 Providence vs. URI men's basketball game was going to be played at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence.  The two teams will renew the series in 2021 with the game being played at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.

"It is obviously disappointing to not be able to play the game, given its significance to both programs," Bjorn said.  "We explored all possibilities of making it work, but the lack of schedule flexibility and challenges created by the pandemic prevented it. We look forward to resuming the rivalry in 2021."