Members of the Providence College Men’s Basketball Team get on the bus to head to Columbus, Ohio for their first game in the NCAA Tournament. Photo by Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
Andrew Augustus, WPRO News
For the second straight year, the Providence College Men’s Basketball team has qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Last year the team earned a spot after winning the Big East tournament, this year the team earned an at-large bid.
“We’re excited and I’m really proud of our kids and the perseverance. Anytime you get a chance to get on the national stage we’re about to get on and give ourselves an opportunity to advance; that’s what it’s about, you got to play well and advance,” said Head Coach Ed Cooley.
The team left the Providence College campus Wednesday morning to head to Columbus, Ohio for their first round game against the winner of the Dayton and Boise State game.
PC enters the tournament as a 6 seed, which is 5 seeds higher than they were a year ago when they lost to the University of North Carolina in the first round.
“Being able to experience it and have some of the leaders back on the team that experienced it last year will help us out a lot,” said senior guard LaDontae Henton.
With each year of the tournament, many fill out brackets trying to predict how the games will play out. President Barack Obama filled out his bracket and predicted the Friars would be upset by Dayton.
“President Obama has his opinion, but he’s probably going to be wrong,” said Cooley.
The Friars are set to play Friday March 20 with tip off scheduled for 9:57 pm.
