|_ The Cowl ______Vol. LVIII No.6 Providence College - Providence, Rhode Island October 27,1993 For The PC Seniors, This Year Is... Up Close: The Last Go ’Round With Rick Barnes

Justin Macione '95 20-13 record and and NIT Smith and Simpkins, two of Matt Mlodzinski '94 Assistant Sports Writer semifinal appearance. Junior the fiercest rebounders and Sports Editor college transfer Abdul defenders at the collegiate In the spring of 1990, nu­ Abdullah brought stabilty to level. When asked of his role Last year, the Providence College men's basketball team merous college basketball the point guard position. this season, Simpkins replies, was struggling badly. The team was several games below publications rated PC's in­ Smith finished 9th in the na­ "I have to become a leader .500. The offense wasn't effective and the team was on the coming freshman class tion in rebounding , and from my previous experi­ verge of a disastrous 1992-93 campaign. The man who took among the top five in the Simpkins became one of the ence. This includes stepping almost all of the heat for the Friars' problems was head coach country. This illustrious re­ top centers in the conference. up both my scoring and re­ Rick Barnes. As is usually the case when a team struggles, cruiting class featured cen­ Brown established himself as bounding." Smith, also the coach catches the heat. Yet it seemed that when the team ter Dickey Simpkins, power Smith's solid backup while working to improve his of­ turned it around, not everyone was willing to credit Barnes forwards Michael Smith and Phelps regained his shoot­ fensive array, adds "Both of with the team's newfound success. Some said that he was Troy Brown, and small for­ ing touch at the end of the us worked a lot harder than just letting the guys play. Some say it was the emergence of ward Rob Phelps. Walk-ons season. we needed to this summer, Franklin Western as a legitimate scoring threat. Tom Hall and Duffy Following the pizzaz but we think it'll pay off." Whatever the reason, Barnes led the Friars to a red-hot McNulty came on board in of Midnight Madness, the Both potential NBA draft finish. They finished higher in the Big East standings than the fall. Friars will embark in a five picks, this duo also worked any PC team before them. They knocked off a talentec In their inaugural month long basketball mis­ on their game for another Connecticut squad in the Big East Tournament before falling 1990-91 season, the only sion, the goal being PC's first reason, preparation for pos­ to top seed Seton Hall. They went to the brink of making the player to make a major on- ever Big East Championship sible professional careers. NCAA Tournament and despite getting snubbed there, they court contribution was . Along with winning at When asked about the sub­ went on a mean run in the NIT. Simpkins. Throughout his home, this will require the ject, Simpkins further elabo­ Now, one season later, Rick Barnes has a team that some rookie season, the 6-9 bruiser Frears to remain focused and rated, "Both of us tried to from Fort Washington, consistent on the road, develop our games to an Maryland in PC's NIT run. whether in the confines of NBA level this summer by Brown played sparingly, the Carrier Dome, or the less playing a lot of NBA compe­ while Smith and Phelps were imposing Miami Arena. tition. forced tositoutduetoPropo­ Most importantly though, Of special interest to sition 48 rules. PC's quest for March Mad­ Simpkins is whenever the The following season ness will require significant Friars face Boston College, was marred by inconsistency contributions from the seven where he draws the assign­ at the point guard position, seniors listed above. ment of covering fellow se­ resulting in die Friars miss­ When asked about the nior Bill Curley. Thought of ing out on postseason play offseason prescription for as a slightly lesser player by for the first time since 1988. meeting these goals, Troy experts throughout their ca­ However, a major bright spot Brown explained, "None of reers, Simpkins accepted the of the season was the us are totally satisfied with challenge and thoroughly leaguewide impact of our first three yeares, so this outplayed his worthy oppo­ Michael Smith, who led the summer we all worked out nent in the teams' three meet­ Big East in rebounding his very hard to get in our best ings last season. Most impor­ first season. This rebuilding shape ever." When asked of tant, the Friars swept the se­ period also saw the emer­ what the fans can expect ries. Simpkins replies, "I Coach Barnes, with the signature rolled up program in gence of Phelps as a scoring starting on October 29th, the think that the key to the game hand, shouts directions to his troops — ■ • threat and the gradual im­ power forward added, is which of us can help our provement of Simpkins and "We're going to play much team more, which means that feel has the ability to win the Big East Conference and make Brown. more of a run and gun game, you have to play a lot of de­ a push in the NCAA tournament. A mere ten months after After starting off 1-6 in but we'll still use our solid fense." being the object of PC fans' ire, he now has a chance to lead the Big East, the Friars en­ frontline to our advantage." the Friars to a Big East crown and become a hero in the eyes acted an amazing midseason The heart and soul of see: Seniors of those same fans. turnaround, rebounding to a this Friar frontline will be on page 2 Barnes feels that getting snubbed by the NCAA selection committee last spring had a strong affect on his players. They all know that they need to get off to a better start this year and not dig themselves an early hole. He also feels that the team's work ethic is even better this year; he can see it in the way they have been conditioning this fall. The effect of being left out of the NCAA's last year was tough on him personally as he noted that being with his players right after they got rejected was "the hardest thing I've ever had to do as a head coach." Barnes believes that in order to be successful this year, the team must Continue to improve defensively and be much more effective at the offensive end of the court. He expects everyone to contribute on offense this year, where he sees PC having an extremely balanced scoring attack. "We're going to need points from a lot of different players this year to win ?all games. I certainly can't take anything away from what Tony Turner and Trent Forbes (departed seniors) did for us astyear. They each gave us a tremendous lift." The next topic we discussed was the status of senior Troy 3rown. Rumors have been swirling as to whether or not 3rown will redshirt. The scoop is that the decision will not >e made for another several weeks. In fact, Barnes noted that "the topic of Troy's 'redshirting' is not even an issue right now. That is a judgement that Troy and our coaches will Seniors (from left to right) Michael make together in a few weeks." Smith, Dickie Simpkins, and Rob These four will help give the Friars Phelps will give PC leadership... their most experienced team in years. see: Barnes i on page 2 The Cowl 2 Midnight Madness October 27,1993

Seniors "IF s my job to run the team Billy Packer Talks To and takechargeof the point.", from page 1 explained Abdullah, outlin­ ing his responsibilities. At the small forward Walk-ons Duffy The Cowl slot, coach Bames is hoping McNulty and Tom Hall also getting his team into this into good players. That will that Rob Phelps can provide play vital roles on the team, Matt Mlodzinski '94 some offense, either as a even if these contributions Sports Editor tournament. He went out of be a major improvement for his way to get involved and the league this year. Still, I starter or coming of the bench aren't visible to the public. Billy Packer is considered that made me feel confident feel that the best league this as the team's designated "de­ Hall adequately sums this one of the best, if not the best, in choosing PC for the tour­ year is the Big 10 from top to fensive stopper". After los­ up, adding, "It's my job to college basketball analysts in ney. bottom. They have some ing his shooting touch for give these guys a hard work­ the nation. A staple of col­ Ski: How do you see the Big excellent teams who could much of last season, Phelps out in order to prepare them lege hoops coverage for CBS East race stacking up this be tough come tournament worked hard to regain it for the Big East season." Sports, Packer brings an ex­ year and how will PC fare? time in March. when he toured with a group Although some might cellent blend of personal in­ B.P.: This year the confer­ Ski: What was your reaction of Big East all-stars through view the accomplishments of sight and game analysis to ence doesn't have any domi­ to PC getting snubbed by Canada this summer. When this highly ranked class as a every telecast. A television nant teams and doesn't have the NCAA Selection Com­ asked of his experience, the slight disappointment, Hall veteran of eighteen years, any bad teams. The Big East mittee last year, despite the Brooklyn bomber replied voices his objection to this; Packer will be covering his will be a wide open race with Friars tremendous late-sea- "The tour went great this "This recruiting class has al­ thirteenth straight NCAA several teams having a son surge? summer and afterwards I ways been under a micro­ tournament for CBS come chance to win the league. If I B.P.: I felt that PC definitely worked really hard on my scope, but all we can do is March. flew you to the moon right earned an at-large bid witn shooting and defense." Proof build on last year and con­ Recently, I had the chance now and brought you back their play down the stretch of his scoring potential lies in tinue to improve." Coach to interview Billy Packer and in March, there would be lastyear. Whatprobablyhurt the fact that Phelps is the sec­ Barnes also has his own view get his views on the PC Fri­ many teams that could win their chances the most was ond leading all-time scorer to add to this debate; "You ars, the NCAA, and the world the league and not surprise the early hole they dug them­ in New York City behind can only judge a recruiting of basketball as a whole. you. Some questions exist selves in Big East play. That Kenny Anderson of the New class after it has graduated." Ski (yours truly, Matt about each team. Can Seton poor star t was a strike against Jersey Nets. At this point, the Mlodzinski ): How impor­ Hall do it without Dehere, them. But I guarantee that if At the point guard posi­ class of 1994 is not thinking tant is an event like Mid­ Walker, and Wright? Is this you were a fly on the wall at tion, Abdul Abdullah will about past opinions, but re­ night Madness fora college BC's year to finally make a the Committee's meetings, carry Friar fortunes up the alize that their future is now basketball program? move? you would have heard court. The former Central as they try to improve on last Billy Packer: The first coach PC definitely has a chance to Providence's name being High School star arrived season's promise. The future that I can remember doing it make a move in the league tossed around right until the amid much fanfare last sea­ will finally be opened for the is Lefty Dreisell at the Uni­ and likewise in the NCAA end. They were undoubt­ son. Despite showing an un­ public to judge for them­ versity of Maryland. It tournament. They have edly one of the final teams to polished shot, he excelled at selves at Midnight Madness wasn't a big media event; it many key assets including be left out. distributing the ball to the on Friday, October 29. was just a regular practice at strong rebounding, senior Ski: On a different topic, frontcourt and emerging midnight But Lefty did it to leadership, and a physical how do you feel about all of .shooter Franklin Western. send a message to other front line. They will make the recent salaries being teams that they were going some noise this year. signed by NBA players? to be good and they were Ski: How does the Big East B.P.: Well, if owners are will­ going to start practicing as look compared to other con­ ing to do it, the players will Barnes early as possible. Recently it ferences this year? get what they want. There has become more of a media B.P.: The conference as a are two things that are really from page 1 event and pep rally, but as whole has added stability this bad about this situation. First long as it builds support for year with the return of a of all, the amount of money For the last several years, the Big East Conference has the team, it will always be a majority of last year's owners are willing to pay been taking it on the chin when compared to other confer­ plus. lettermen coupled with some unproven rookies is unbe­ ences. Many critics said that last year, when the league put Ski: What exactly is the good recruiting. I think that lievable. Success in college only three teams in the NCAA's, was another down step for Buckler Invitational inParis poor recruiting hurt the doesn't guarantee success m a once powerful league. Bames disagrees. "Last year three and what was your role in league for a few years be­ the NBA. Secondly, the long teams from the Big East made the tourney. If Syracuse were getting PC into the tourna­ cause they just missed get­ term arrangements of some not on probation they would have been in. Plus the fact that ment? ting some top recruits. That of these contracts are ludi we barely missed getting in gave the conference five NCAA B.P.: I'm in partnership with added to the struggles of the caliber teams. In what was supposed to be a down year, five a company called Parallel league. In the last few years, see: Packer teams of that strength would be impressive. But now the Media in London. Together, teams have recruited better league is much more balanced and there aren't any domi­ we built up the concept of a and these guys have matured on page 4 nant teams. So critics say that the league is weak. Just year round series of all-star because we don't have a single dominant team doesn't mean games, 3 on 3 tournaments, that the conference is weak. We are much stronger top to and instructional camps be­ bottom." ing held in Europe. The year When Barnes and I discussed last year's problems he ending event would be noted that even when the team struggled, he felt they could Christmas tournament in­ win. But did he feel that the fans felt they could win? Bames volving the best European answered: "I think that in a year like last year, you always teams we could get. hear two thumps. The first one is the fans jumping off the There were certain key in­ bandwagon, and the second is the same fans leaping back on. gredients I looked for in se­ That doesn't really concern me as much as the support the lecting an American team for team got consistently through the year. When we struggled, the tourney this year, there were certain people who were always right there for us. searched for a team that was I can't thank John Marinatto and Father Cunningham enough capable of making a run in for the support they gave me last year." Barnes also felt that the NCAA's, and I feel Provi­ the Sixth Man Society did a great job keeping the moral up dence is capable of that. Sec­ at the games. It is great for the players to play in a loud ondly, I wanted a team that atmosphere, and he said that the team appreciated those fans was mature because most who stuck with them. European players in this I asked Barnes if he felt that playing in a city without a tourney are between 24-32 professional team affected the fans' attitude towards the years old and they are very Friars. He said yes, but interestingly he added that he felt experienced. Also, this is a that the sale of alcohol at the games had even more of an long trip and the games will effect. He prefers that alcohol not be sold at all, but he noted be played in a completely that thatisnothisdedsiontomake. Beer can definitely make different environment: dif­ a hostile fan even worse, but I highly doubt that the Civic ferent language, different Center will stop beer sales as Bames would like to see. style of play, etc. A team that On the topic of Midnight Madness, Bames feels that the is experienced will be able to annual event is terrific for both the fans and the players. adjust quicker to all of the "Everyone gets real worked up for this. I know the players changes. Next, I needed a are real psyched because they are anxious to get the season physical team. Providence under way. From a coach's standpoint, I won't get a lot of definitely fits the bill with coaching done, but I still love what happens because it builds players like Smith, Simpkins, up support for the team." and Troy Brown. The final question I asked Coach Bames was how far can Perhaps the biggest plus of Coach Bames would love to see more of this. Dickey this team go. He answered simply that "we will go as far as all was that Coach Bames Simpkins throws down a mean one against Syracuse. we take ourselves." Great answer. Hopefully, Bames will was really adamant about lead them a long way. October 27,1993 The Cowl 3 Midnight Madness The 1993-93 Providence College Friars

Standing (1 to r): Mike Brown, MaciejZielinski, Eric Williams, Austin Croshere, Piotr Szybilski, Franklin Western, Jason Murdock Seated (1 to r): Abdul Abdullah, Rob Phelps, Troy Brown, Dickey Simpkins, Michael Smith, Tom Hall, Duffy McNulty ■PC Goes To France^

I Christian Potts '94 I The Coaching Staff 1------Sports Writer I American college basketball is marked by a physi-g —cal, slashing game that is fast-paced and exciting. European — ■basketball is marked by a slower, less physical game involv- ■ ling more outside shooting; it runs at a slower pace thanl ^American basketball. In two months, the American game J ■ meets the European game head-to-head at the Buckler Invi- ■ 5 tational (Coubertin) in Paris, France as your very own Pro vi- _ 1 dence College Friars take on three European teams: Limoges 1 Ifrom Italy, Barcelona from Spain, and Bologna from Ger-1 | many. Thanks to the effort of many on behalf of the PC - ■ Friars (notably Billy Packer, whose interview appears in this ■ 1 issue), the men's basketball team has a once-in-a-lifetime I 1 opportunity to travel to Europe and experience a different | ■brand of basketball than the rough and tough Big East brand ■ Rick Barnes (Head Coach) Larry Shyatt (Assistant Coach) 5 that they are used to. Coach Rick Barnes says "IFs not so J ■much the different style of basketball we're looking for but® Lenoir- Rhyne College ’77 College of Wooster '73 Ithe experience of playing games on the road against tough 1 | teams. Wedefinitely need improvementin our road records; g -it will be the key to our season." Originally, the opportunity to play in this touma- ■ ■ ment was offered to the University of North Carolina, last! | season's National Champions, but they declined, and so the | | organizers of the tournament sought the advice of Billy g ! Packer to find a suitable replacement team. Packer recom- _ ■mended a Big East squad, and Providence became that™ I school. "The Big East office allows us to travel abroad for one I | tournament a season and this was an excellent opportunity g ■ for us to face some high-level competition. These European - 5 teams are basically professionals. In the past, PC has trav-! ■ eled abroad to Europe, but not recently. This will give the ■ 1 players an opportunity to see a part of the world that they 1 | might otherwise never get to see in their lives." The last g Dennis Felton (Assistant Coach) Dan Gavitt (Assistant Coach) -member of PC's basketball squad to travel to Europe was- Howard University '85 Dartmouth College '88 ■Tony Turner in 1989 as part of the Big East Rookie All-Star ■ I team, who traveled to Russia (where he now plays profes-1 |sionally). | Coach Rick Barnes believes this will be an excellent g J opportunity for PC not only to face good competition but! ■ also for exposure. PC could use the exposure in the cutthroat ■ I Big East recruiting battles, not to mention getting PC outl | there so the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee will g -stop stiffing us come tournament time. Coach Barnes be-- ■ lieves this year's squad should be able to walk on every court ■ I they play and feel that, if they play the way they are capable, I | they should win every time; "Everytime we show up, we can | ■ win, and that confidence is what we are going to need in« J Paris." So come on out to Midnight Madness and support™ I your PC Friars. And hey, Coach Barnes, Dickey, Michael and I Edward Jamiel (Trainer) | Co., maybe you could find out why the French think Jerry g —Lewis is so funny? — /------The Cowl 4 Midnight Madness October 27,1993 J Packer 1993-94 Providence College from page 2 Basketball Schedule crous. How many of these guys will actually play out all of the years on their con­ NOVEMBER EASTERN tracts? There is no incentive 14 Sunday MAL BROWN SCRIMMAGE (Alumni Hall) 5:30 pm to play that long. If they 17 Wednesday CANADIAN NATIONAL TEAM 7:30 pm accomplish their personal 20 Saturday MARATHON OIL 7:30 pm goals, they'll already have financial security, so why 26 Friday Oklahoma State University (MaybeeCenter - ORU) 10:30 pm 29 Monday BROWN UNIVERSITY 7J30 pm would they play for twelve to fifteen years? The owners are playing money games DECEMBER with these contracts and they 1 Wednesday UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE 7:30 pm just may be shooting them­ selves in the foot. 4 Saturday University of Pittsburgh (Fitzgerald Fieldhouse) WLNE/WKBL/NESN * Noon Ski: Who do you see as the 7 Tuesday Villanova University (DuPont Pavillion) WLNE/WGBS/NESN * 8:00 pm best teams in the nation this 11 Saturday ST. FRANCIS COLLEGE 2:00 pm year? 21 Tuesday PRINCETON UNIVERSITY 7:30 pm B.P.: I think that this year's situation is a lot like the situ­ 27 Monday Buckler Invitational (Coubertin) - Paris, France ation a few years back. That year, everyone was chasing 28 Tuesday Limoges, Barcelona, Bolgna UNLV and this year the whole nation will be chasing 31 Friday UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA 7:00 pm North Carolina. They have the potential to be one of the JANUARY best teams ever. The ques­ tion is whether or not North 6 Wednesday SETON HALL UNIVERSITY ESPN 9:00 pm Carolina will be caught; 8 Saturday UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI WLNE/WFSB 8:00 pm UNLV got caught, but will 11 Tuesday University of Rhode Island (Providence Civic Center) WNAC 7:30 pm the Tar Heels get snagged? I 15 Saturday Georgetown University (USAir Arena) HTS/NESN * 2:00 pm think Arkansas has a great 19 Wednesday UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT ESPN/WLNE 7:00 pm team and they did them­ 22 Saturday Boston College (Conte Forum) WLNE/WSBK 8:00 pm selves a huge favor by add­ ing some size along the front 25 Tuesday SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY WLNE/WSYT 8:00 pm line. I still feel that Duke 29 Saturday University of Notre Dame (JACC) SportsChannel 2:00 pm could cause some trouble, 31 Monday Seton Hall University (Meadowlands) SCNY/NESN * 9:00 pm though I'm interested to see how they fare without Bobby FEBRUARY Hurley. The Big 10 is loaded with possibilities, and 5 Saturday St. John’s University (Alumni Hall) WLNE/MSG/NESN * 8:00 pm Temple from the Atlantic 10 8 Tuesday UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH WLNE/WKBL 8:00 pm is a team that could make a 12 Saturday GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY CBS 1:00 pm serious run this year. This 15 Tuesday Syracuse University (Carrier Dome) WSYT 8:00 pm year will be a very entertain­ 19 Saturday University of Connecticut (Gampel Arena) NESN * 8:00 pm ing and exciting one in col­ 21 Monday ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY lege basketball, with Dean ESPN 7:30 pm Smith's Tar Heels being the 26 Saturday University of Miami (Miami Arena) NESN 7:30 pm team everyone guns for.

MARCH 2 Wednesday VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY ESPN 7:00 pm 5 Saturday BOSTON COLLEGE WLNE/NESN * 8:00 pm The 11 Friday BIG EAST Tournament (Madison Square Garden) WLNE 1993-1994 12 Saturday BIG EAST Tournament (Madison Square Garden) CBS 13 Sunday BIG EAST Tournament (Madison Square Garden) CBS

All home games played in Providence Civic Center 'Broadcast on delay basis by New England Sports Network

Special Issue Staff Abdul Abdullah '94 Duffy McNulty '94 Rob Phelps '94 Dickey Simpkins '94 1. Be the floor leader and 1. Be a senior leader for the 1. Go out and contribute 1. Provide leadership and Noelle Cusack ’94 take control when the team team and provide a spark the best that I can espe­ step it up on the boards Editor-In-Chief gets shaky whenever I can cially as a defensive 2. Boston College and 2. Oklahoma State 2. Oklahoma State stopper Georgetown Matt Mlodzinski '94 2. Oklahoma State Sports Editor Michael Brown '96 Michael Smith '94 1. Take on a leadership role 1. Step up my game from Justin Macione '95 on the floor and keep the What Do You Say Friars? last year Assistant Sports Editor team playing good "D” 2. Oklahoma State, Boston 2. Syracuse College, and Georgetown Christian T. Potts Question #1: What do you see as your Sports Writer Troy Brown '94 role on the team this year? Franklin Western '95 & 1. Be an intimidator, bang 1. Play hard and just help Copy Editor the boards, and score inside out my team 2. Oklahoma State Question #2: What team are you looking 2. Oklahoma State Derek Stout '95 forward to playing the most? Sports Interviewer Austin Croshere '97 Eric Williams '95 1. Help in the middle, back 1. Make an immediate up Dickey (Simpkins), and impact by scoring Take Note pitch in with scoring and Derek Stout '95 2. All of them This year the Friars rebounding Sports Interviewer will play Georgetown on 2. Connecticut Maciej Zielinski '95 Parents Weekend. The 1. Do my best to help the >ame will be televised on Tom Hall '94 Jason Murdock '97 Piotr Szybilski '97 team win. CBS. It will be the firsi 1. Provide depth at the "4" 1. Come in and fill in for 1. Help out the team in any 2. Oklahoma State regular season network and "5” spots and give the the starters and provide way possible Lv. appearance by the Fri­ team competition in defense for the team 2. Oklahoma State practice. 2. Georgetown ars in four years. 2. Oklahoma State