PC’s Big Challenge - Friars Play #1 Ranked UConn Wednesday Night

PC’s Big Challenge - Friars Play #1 Ranked UConn Wednesday Night

The Providence College men’s basketball team has previously played #1 ranked programs 17 times in its history.

On Wednesday night, the Friars face the #1 ranked University of Connecticut on the road at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs.

The degree of difficulty is high, very high.

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In the past, the Friars have posted a 2-15 mark all-time versus # 1 ranked teams.

PC’s two victories over top-ranked teams were an 82-81 double overtime win over Michigan on December 29, 1976, and an 81-73 win over Pittsburgh on February 24, 2009 — both games were played at the Providence Civic Center.

The last time the Friars faced a top-ranked team was on January 23, 2018, at Villanova, where the Friars were defeated 89-69.

To add to the excitement and the challenge, UConn is the defending national champion, and the Huskies are coached by Dan Hurley, the former URI coach.

 

Here are a few numbers to consider:

 

*The Friars have won their last three games.

 

*The Friars are 1-1 vs. ranked teams this season and 131-280 (.319) all-time.

 

*PC's 15-point win over No. 6 Marquette was the team's largest win over a top-10 team since defeating No. 8 Villanova, 83-68, on 1/26/11.

 

*The Friars are 13-1 this season when scoring 71 or more points.

 

*The Friars are 6-0 this season when hitting ten or more threes in a game.

 

*In BIG EAST games only, Devin Carter leads the league in scoring (22.0 ppg) and is fourth in rebounding (8.2 rpg).

 

UConn on Focus

Providence holds a 31-47 mark all-time versus Connecticut. The Friars have posted a 16-17 mark all-time versus UConn in Providence, a 12-26 record versus the Huskies at UConn and a 3-4 mark on neutral courts.

The Huskies are one of the Friars' oldest New England rivals, with the first match-up on January 21, 1928, when UConn won, 29-21, in Storrs. 

In the first matchup last season, the Friars earned a 73-61 win on January 4 at home. 

In the Friars' game at UConn versus the Huskies, UConn defeated the Friars, 87-69, on February 22.  In the final meeting between the two teams last season, UConn defeated the Friars, 73-66, in the Big East Tournament on March 9, 2023.

The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on FS1.