Providence's 2021-22 schedule is complete
The Big East released conference games and dates on Thursday. Providence kicks it all off with a trip to UConn. Here's a look.
Clear your calendar for December 18.
Providence kicks off the Big East portion of its schedule with what is sure to be an emotion-filled Saturday when they travel to Storrs, CT to take on UConn.
Yes, the Friars played at UConn last season, but with last year’s empty arenas we can all agree that this one will feel slightly different. It will feel like the first time the two have really gone head-to-head with something at stake since March 9, 2013 when the Huskies’ overtime victory over PC all but ended Providence’s late-season NCAA Tournament push.
That was Ed Cooley’s second season in Providence, and it remains probably the most angry I have seen Cooley in a post game press conference (due to a foul call on a late and-1 by Ryan Boatright).
That was Kevin Ollie’s first season at UConn, and it marked their last game of the year, as Connecticut was banned from postseason play due to several years of poor Academic Progress rate scores.
It also marked UConn’s final Big East game before returning to the conference last season.
The Big East/Fox Sports UConn PR machine has been in full throttle since the return of the Huskies and that was no different on schedule release day.
Providence and UConn then have a return date on Saturday, Jan. 15 at the Dunk. Here’s a look through each of those contests:
Saturday, Dec. 18 at UConn: Providence had a four-game winning streak in Connecticut dating from 2003 through 2008. UConn has won the last four matchups at home in this series, however, including last year’s 73-61 victory.
Wednesday, Dec. 22 vs. Georgetown: The reigning Big East Tournament champs come to Providence during a portion of the schedule in which PC could potentially start ripping off conference victories.
If Providence is to compete for an NCAA Tournament bid, this is the type of game they should win against a young team. Ed Cooley has done well against Georgetown in his career, having won eight straight at one point, and 10 of the last 13. The Hoyas have beaten Cooley just twice in Providence.
Wednesday, Dec. 29 vs. Seton Hall: Seton Hall should compete for a top 4-5 spot in the Big East this year, and a win over a tournament quality team this early in conference play would be a boost. The Pirates have had success in Providence recently, splitting six games with the Friars.
Saturday, Jan. 1 at DePaul: DePaul is in rebuilding mode under new head coach Tony Stubblefield. They return just one legitimate contributor from last year’s team in Javon Freeman-Libery.
Tuesday, Jan. 4 at Marquette: Providence has had good success in Milwaukee in recent seasons, after struggling to win there for the longest time. PC is 3-2 in their last five games at Marquette, with some thrillers mixed in — a one point victory in 2017, a two point win in ‘18, and a one point overtime win in 2020.
Saturday, Jan. 8 vs. St. John’s: Providence and St. John’s have played to a virtual standstill historically, with the Johnnies holding a 50-49 advantage in the all-time series. St. John’s has won the last three matchups after Providence had taken nine out of ten.
Tuesday, Jan. 11 at Creighton: Creighton will be talented, but very young. Even with the Jays’ inexperience, the trip to Omaha is a brutal one. Greg McDermott welcomes a tremendous recruiting class, but the losses of Marcus Zegarowski, Christian Bishop, Denzel Mahoney, Damien Jefferson, and Mitch Ballock likely mean they are a year away from competing with the top of the Big East.
Saturday, Jan. 15 vs. UConn: Batten down the hatches. Providence. UConn. Cooley. The return of Dan Hurley. A Saturday at a Dunkin Donuts Center filled with both UConn and PC fans together in Providence for the first time since 2013?
Tuesday, Jan. 18 at Seton Hall: Providence picked up an overtime win at Seton Hall last December after a late three pointer by AJ Reeves. That win snapped a five game losing streak at Seton Hall. The last before that?
Sunday, Jan. 23 vs. Butler: As noted here last week, Providence is 13-5 against Butler since they joined the Big East. The Bulldogs have one of the most experienced teams in the country returning this year.
Wednesday, Jan. 26 at Xavier: Providence and Xavier has been a sneaky fun matchup since X came to the Big East. Last season’s 74-73 loss in Cincinnati was a kick in the gut for the Friars, who blew a seven point lead with about a minute to play. PC has won at Xavier just once since 2014.
Saturday Jan. 29 vs. Marquette: Speaking of fun, Marquette/PC games at the Dunk have been some of the most thrilling of the Cooley era.
Tuesday, Feb. 1 vs. St. John’s: Mike Anderson has a team capable of winning the Big East Tournament next March. Providence’s 99 games against the Storm are the second most PC has played against any opponent (behind the 104 versus Villanova).
Sunday, Feb. 6 at Georgetown: This was another tough road loss for the 2019-20 Friars, who wasted AJ Reeves’ sterling shooting night (10-17 from the field, 6-12 from 3, 28 points) and fell a point short when David Duke missed a free throw in the final second in DC.
Saturday, Feb. 12 vs. DePaul: Just because.
Tuesday, Feb. 15 at Villanova: Providence closes with a difficult five game stretch, including two against Villanova. The Wildcats are seen by some as a Final Four contender. I’m not there yet with this bunch, especially with the loss of the terrific Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, but the extra year of eligibility offered to Collin Gillespie and Jermaine Samuels certainly doesn’t hurt their cause.
Sunday, Feb. 20 at Butler: This is a potentially great road trip for Friar fans, as many kids will be on February vacation at the time. Hinkle Fieldhouse remains a bucket list item for this writer.
Wednesday, Feb. 23 vs. Xavier: Xavier should be dangerous this year, as Zach Freemantle and Paul Scruggs make up one of the most potent inside-out duos in the league. Sophomore Colby Jones is expected to make a sizable jump.
Saturday, Feb. 26 vs. Creighton: During a tough stretch, this is likely one Providence will need to get if they are making a tournament push. The Jays pulled out a 67-65 win at Alumni Hall last year in yet another late game heartbreaker.
Tuesday, March 1 at Villanova: Friar fans will hope to see shades of 2019, when Providence got a big time victory in Philly behind Luwane Pipkins.
To read about the non-conference portion of the schedule, see this deep dive, which was posted in early September.
Click here for Providence’s full schedule on Friars.com.