The Providence College Friars are embarking on their second-consecutive journey to the NCAA tournament as they flew to Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday morning. They earned a 6-seed for the tournament, and Kris Dunn, who has been named Co-Big East player of the year, told Eyewitness News this year’s tournament is “a business trip” and the team will enjoy the moment but they have to be ready to get down to business. The Friars are looking for their first tournament win since 1997, and LaDontae Henton said a win would “mean everything. That’s what you play for – to win. And that’s what we’re going to Columbus to do and we’re going to face one of two tough opponents, so we have to be ready for it.”
The Friars have been to the NCAA tournament 16 times, making the Final Four twice, four Elite Eights and five Sweet 16s. Coach Ed Cooley told Eyewitness News “We’re trying to work on ourselves. If we continue to get better with ourselves, we’re going to put ourselves in position to have success there. Everybody worries about the opponent. I’m worried about us, clean some things in our game, coaching. Coach your own team, not the other locker room.”
The Friars will play Friday night against Dayton, who squeaked by with a 56-55 victory over Boise State Wednesday night. Tipoff between #6 PC Friars and #11 Dayton is scheduled for 9:57 p.m.