Beginning Monday, June 21st, 2004 CHN began unveiling 144 Team previews in 144 Days. CHN ranked the nations top 144 teams, and is unveiling one per day leading up until the opening day of the 2004-05 Season.

Bookmark the 144 Teams in 144 Days home page, and check back each day to see which team is previewed next.

#49 Providence Friars
Big East
2003-04: 20-9, 11-5, 4th
2003-04 postseason: NCAA

By Joel Welser

Forward Ryan Gomes led the Friars to one of their best seasons ever in the Big East.  He’s coming back for his senior year to try and get the Friars deeper into the tournament after being upset by Pacific in the first round last year.  Despite Gomes’ return the frontcourt has a lot of questions that will have to be answered by freshman.  If the newcomers don’t step up, it could be a long senior season for Gomes. 

Who’s Out: Guard Shieku Kabba averaged 10.4 points per game as a senior last year.  Kabba developed into a consistent shooter by last year and will be missed in the Friar backcourt.  The major problem comes in the frontcourt.  Center Marcus Douthit and forwards Rob Sanders, Christopher Anrin and Maris Laska are all gone.  Douthit averaged 7.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game his senior season.  Douthit was solid on both ends of the court.  Rob Sanders left the team after last season.  The 6-6 forward averaged 10.8 points, 4.4 boards, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals.  Sanders unplanned departure will cause a problem for head coach Tim Welsh.  Anrin and Laska didn’t see too many minutes but will further deplete the experience of the Friar’s backcourt.

Who’s In: Some of the newcomers will have to make in immediate impact on the frontcourt, most notably, Randall Hanke at the center spot.  The 6-10, 215 pounder should compete with senior power forward Tuukka Kotti for the starting role.  Hanke is a great shot blocker and has a decent shot for a big guy.  Freshmen forwards Charlie Burch and DeSean White, as well as redshirt freshman Jeff Parmer, will get the opportunity to play in the disconcerted frontcourt.  White is the most promising of the bunch and is expected to take over Gomes’ spot next year.  The backcourt gets a little more depth with Robert McKiver and Jajuan Robinson.  McKiver, a 6-3 shooting guard, has talent but is still a work in progress.  If he can pull it all together, he could be a great pickup for Tim Welsh.  Point guard Jujuan Robinson averaged 23 points and five assists as a senior in high school last year.

Who to Watch: With the questions in the frontcourt, we may see a three guard line-up for the Friars this year.  Sophomores Dwight Brewington and Gerald Brown would be expected to play the two wing positions.  Running the point is Donnie McGrath.  McGrath averaged 10.0 points and 3.4 assists last season as a sophomore.  At 6-4, McGrath has great floor vision, but can be rather inconsistent.  Providence lost four games in a row to end last season and much of that was due to McGrath’s slumping.  He averaged just over four points per game in those four losses.  McGrath has to remain consistent in order for Providence to make it back to the big dance.

Projected Conference Rank: It will be interesting to see if Tim Welsh opts for a three guard line-up this year.  His personnel leads him that way, but it will change what the team has become used to seeing.  Much of McGrath’s offense is from behind the arc, and three guards will clutter the perimeter.  The team will have some good days and bad days, but finishing 7th in the Big East will be disappointing.  There are too many question marks besides Gomes and McGrath.  A few more players will step up and get the Friars on the bubble, but the team won’t make back to back NCAA Tournament appearances.  

Projected Post-season Tournament: NIT

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