Thin Friars Gearing Up For Season
Thursday, November 01, 2012
One more exhibition game for the Providence Friars and then the 2012-2013 season officially begins.
Saturday night at the Dunk, PC will host Rhode Island College in their final tune-up before they open up their season against NJIT on November 10th.
As most Friar fans know by now, PC was picked to finish last in the Big East preseason coaches’ poll. A big reason for that selection was the team’s lack of depth heading into the season.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTWith only seven scholarship players available to start the season, PC will be tested early against a non-conference schedule that features three games in a four day period in Puerto Rico this month.
But, if Friar fans can demonstrate some patience, it may be a very merry Christmas.
As early as December 22nd when the Friars visit Boston College, PC will welcome Arizona transfer Sidiki Johnson into the fold. The 6’-10” 240-pound sophomore will be a welcome addition to the Friars’ front line.
What could really make it a merry Christmas for Friar fans would be the return of freshman guard Kris Dunn.
Dunn, who is recovering from offseason shoulder surgery told GoLocalProv.com a few weeks ago that he would like to play this season and that he is hopeful of a return to the floor sometime before Big East play begins in early January.
Prior to the start of Wednesday’s practice at Alumni Hall, Dunn was seen taking passes from a teammate putting up jump shot after jump shot from about 15-17 feet away from the basket.
By no means does this mean that Dunn’s right shoulder is fully healed. However, it has to be viewed as an encouraging sign.
Friars’ coach Ed Cooley told GoLocalProv.com that while he hopes that Dunn will return this season, he’s not 100% certain that will be the case. He also said that there will be not drop-dead date set for a decision as to whether or not Dunn will return to play and burn one of his four years of eligibility.
Friday, GoLocalProv.com will have a one-on-one interview with Ed Cooley talking about all things PC basketball for your viewing pleasure.
