2006 Providence Friars Basketball Preview

2006 Providence Friars Basketball Predictions

The Providence Friars are a young team going through growing pains. They’re improved but not enough to make them a contender. They’d like to be in the middle of the Big East, but that may be too optimistic for this team.

Sharaud Curry (11.9 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 42.8 FG%, 89.1 FT%) posted a fine rookie season, commanding the point and often scoring big. He’s a reliable player. On the other side, sophomore Weyinmi Efejuku (7.8 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.9 APG, 35.4 FG%, 70.3 FT%) or freshman Jamal Barney, who averaged 27.5 PPG as a high school senior, will probably get the nod. Barney can drive inside quickly and score and is a better ball handler than Efejuku. Brian McKenzie, another first-year guard, can hit from outside.

Three swingmen look to occupy the frontcourt. Senior Herbert Hill (9.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 58.6 FG%, 55.7 FT%) showed steady improvement last season and should be a force under the boards. Despite being injured most of last season, Geoff McDermott (8.9 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 2.6 APG, 40.6 FG%, 57.9 FT%), now a sophomore, was a potent shooter and rebounder. Now that he’s healthy, expect even more. He’s the centerpiece of this frontcourt. Randall Hanke (13.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 0.3 APG, 67.7 FG%, 62.8 FT%) is big, lanky and fast. He can turn it on from one end to the other.

Last season, coach Tim Welsh (12- 15 overall and 5- 11 Big East; 127- 114 over 8 years with Friars) got a lot out of a group of starters that often consistent primarily of freshmen and sophomores. Two of those freshmen made the Big East All-Rookie team. Welsh will stress defense and hopes that his returning players will finally execute what he’s preached the past two seasons. Offense should not be a problem.

Look for a better record than last year and a possible NIT bid. If this team does better than that, then coach Welsh will have a group of overachievers on hand. If that happens, then anything is possible. Are these Friars capable of miracles?

If you want more info on the 2006 Providence Friars College basketball team check out the NCAA's official basketball team page of the program or check out some rival previews from Maddux Sports of schools like the West Virginia Mountaineers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.