Special Post-Season Edition

Vol. LVIII No. 18 Providence College - Providence, Rhode Island March 28,1994 WOW!! Friars Win First Ever Big East Championship in)", referring to last year's by Justin Macione '95 snub. Assistant Sports Editor Fortunately Barnes and Only a couple of weeks his troops didn't have to go ago, the Providence College to extremes, but Saturday's Friars were struggling to semifinal feat proved to be keep their heads above wa­ almost as amazing; defeating ter. Faced with a 7th place 5- the #2 ranked University of 8 Big East record, Friar fanat­ Connecticut Huskies 69-67. ics echoed comments such as Following Friday's "These seniors have really thrashing of St. Johns, the disappointed" or "This team Huskies looked unstop­ is going nowhere!" pable. had In response to this criti­ just ripped the Redmen for cism, the Friars rapped off a a tournament record 42 five game season ending win points. Who would step up streak. After their March 7, for the Friars on Saturday? 73-69 overtime thriller Try the oft-maligned against the Georgetown Simpkins and Rob Phelps. Hoyas, talk of disappoint­ The focus of huge ment quickly switched to expectations since his ar­ talk of the NCAA bubble. rival, Phelps was forced into This newfound opti­ the role of defensive stopper, mism was somewhat tem­ a result of his season long pered by the reality that the scoring slump. However, Friars were about to enter the Phelps, the senior scorer re- house of horrors for PC bas­ emerged on Saturday, light­ ketball: The Big East Tourna­ ing up the New York skyline ment. Turning their backs on with 10 for 11 shooting, in­ a 6-14 toumey record, PC's cluding 3 treys, for 23 points. 1994 edition summarily "I go into games now think­ turned the Madison Square ing more defensively than I garden into a second home ever have and it seems to court by capturing their first help things come together ever tournament champion­ offensively," analyzed the The new Big East Champions celebrate after knocking oft Georgetown ship. underrated sixth man. in the title game. The road to the finals In the box score, the began at high noon on Fri­ casual fan will be pleased day with a clash against the with 20 game by Villanova Wildcats. A vic­ Simpkins, another solid per­ tory would virtually assure former who has faced unre­ the NCAA tournament bid alistic expectations. Yet, if it which had eluded the Friars weren't for Simpkins pres­ last March. suring Donyell Marshall the PC broke out to an entire game and holding him early lead, spearheaded by to 19 points, the 20 points Eric Williams' hot shooting. would have been just an­ When the Wildcats con­ other statistic in a PC loss. verged on Williams, senior Barnes deferred credit for the power forward Michael defensive performance:"! Smith assumed control of the thought that in our past contest, amassing 25 points games I had done too much and 12 rebounds for the coaching. I told Dickey game. With Smith, Dickey you're the guy that has to Simpkins, and Austin guard him, do it anyway you Croshere overmatching the want to.” Wildcats on the glass, point Trailing by a 29-28 score at guard Abdul Abdullah the half, the Friars started the smoothly directed the of­ second with an 8-0 run. This fense. An unexpected 10 would be the preview for point first half from Croshere PC's 68% second half shoot­ also keyed the 77-66 victory. ing. Although the Friars Following the game a re­ never lost the lead again, laxed a relaxed Abdullah UCONN was almost always commented, "A lot of the challenging. time, my teammates and With 31 seconds re­ myself weren't on the same maining, 's page, but that changed as the foot nicked the 3 point line game went on." Feeling a bit on a long range jumper, help­ more comfortable about PC's ing the Friars retain a 68-67 Michael Smith hoists his tournament Three numbers that won't soon be MVP trophy with Big East Commis­ postseason hopes, coach lead. Possibly, the most cru- forotten at Providence: #42 Dickey Barnes added comic relief to sioner Michael Tranghese. § Simpkins, #22 Rob Phelps, and #34 the situation; "We might pull Michael Smith. a Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya see: Big East Champs Harding thing on the NCAA on page 2 committee (if we don’t get s' The Cowl 2 March 28,1994 ------Special Edition----- \;:::::;:;::X;:::;:;:;:;:::;X;::X;X;:;:;:vX;X;x£:£^ • xK:X:x<::v>:’:.'::x::;x:::::x::::<:::::::::v:vX:x:$^ . = s s s ' I . High Tide Sinks Friars NCAA Hopes End With Disappointing Loss To Alabama Not only did PC by Matt Mlodzinski '94 struggle here with their Sports Editor most. shooting, but certain players PC only lost by six The Big Dance. The labored all game long. with Alabama playing ter­ Providence College Friars Simpkins, who was at the rific and the Friars playing had finally made it to the top of his game at the Big badly. Play this game the NCAA Tournament. They Easts, shot only 1-5 from the next night and PC may have had sealed their way into the field and never got into the won by ten. That's the hard­ tourney by winning PC's game at all. Rob Phelps shot est pill to swallow about this first-ever Big East Champi­ a mere 5-13, but was able to loss. The Friars didn't play onship. Now the Friars hit 4 out his 7 three point at­ the brand of that hoped to ride the momen­ tempts (for 14 points). Eric won eight straight games for tum of the Big East title and Williams was PC’s only con­ them. They didn't go down an eight game winning sistent threat, twisting inside playing their best basketball streak to a run in the for 12-22 shooting en route to and that's what made the NCAAs. Their first hurdle his 27 points. Probably the loss so tough to take. The was the Alabama Crimson surest omen that this one post-game locker room scene Tide in a first round match­ wasn't meant to be was an was a far cry from the Madi­ up in Lexington, Kentucky. open lay-up by Phelps in the son Square Garden jubilation Unfortunately for second half that seemed to be earlier in the week. The Seniors and Abdul Abdullah display the Friars, the magic that through the net, but improb­ players knew that their sea­ the Big East Championship trophy (Abdul also shows lifted the team to the Big East ably spun out and into son ended with one of their off his newest headgear). crown just wasn't there. Ala­ Alabama's hands. worst played games of the bama made the Friars trip to PC was also atro- year. Lexington a short one with a Big East Champs: 76-70 victory that ended not only the season, but the Rick Barnes era at Providence continued from page 1 College. cial play of the game oc­ scramble for the game ball, Eric Williams scored curred when Smith held a memento of the a game-high 27 points for the onto the of a natives coming home party; Friars, who also got 14 from Simpkins foul shot at 19:53, "I wanted that ball real bad, Rob Phelps and 13 from preventing a good final and get my teammates to Michael Brown. Alabama Husky shot. Thanks to the sign it. A lot of people have was led by combined senior effort, the been down on me and there and Marvin Orange who uprising was repelled, and have been a lot of critics, so each hit for 20. PC would advance to their this is a nice sign (of my suc­ It was the wrong first Big East final. cess)." night for everything to go "These were the two Phelps and Simpkins also wrong for PC, but just about guys that we wanted to do had all-toumey team selec­ evrything did. Granted, Ala­ this for.", added Abdullah. tions to add to their memo­ bama shot the ball extremely Following the thriller, the ries, in addition to the tour­ well all game. In the first crowd watched Georgetown nament MVP award for half, the Tide shot 60% from outmuscl an undermanned Smith. Simpkins summed the field with guard Marvin Seton Hall club for the sec­ things up best after the cel­ Orange going 5-6 from three ond spot in the finals. ebration: "Today, all the hard point land. But the Friars Ugly was the best ad­ work and everything we've were undone by the exact jective for Sunday's game as been through for the last 4 things that won the Big East well, synonymous with the years paid off by winning the title just four days before. Hoya pressure defense. If it Big East Championship." What cost PC this ballgame? weren't for PC's first-ever 1. The Friars came title hopes, this game could out looking a little shaky be considered anti-climactic. Eric Williams' 27 points and 7 rebounds made him one defensively and that trans­ of PC's few bright spots against Alabama, Nevertheless, Smith, aiding NCAA First Round lated into wide open looks the double-teamed Eric Wil­ ALABAMA 76 for the Alabama sharpshoot­ line all game long. In a sea- meant to be on this night. It liams, paced the Friars to a PROVIDENCE 70 ers. It was way too easy for son that saw PC improve was a sour ending to ft e ca­ 31-27 first half lead with 10 the Tide's perimeter men to immensely on their free reers of PC's departing se­ points and 9 rebounds. Providence get free and Coach Barnes throw shooting from past niors. When the players look In the end, this game Smith 4-9 2-3 10, years, their season ended back on this season they will Williams 12-22 3-7 27, Simpkins 1- chalked that up to the PC depended on a former PC 5 0-0 2, Abdullah 1-5 0-3 3, Brown defense (or lack there of). with an ugly 8-17 perfor­ be able to say proudly that malady: free throws. Thanks 4-92-2 13, Phelps 5-13 0-0 14, "We were tentative on de­ mance at the charity stripe. they were the Big East to the 22 team fouls and 3 Croshere0-1 1-2 1. fense and we didn't do the A costly nine misses in an Champions. On this night, technicals called on Alabama NCAA tournament game. however, the Big East Tour­ Faulkner 8-15 2-4 20, things we normally do. We Georgetown, the Friars Caffey 3-7 0-0 6, Orange 6-9 3-4 were not aggressive when 3. Alabama pounded nament was the furthest reached the charity stripe 40 20, Griffin 2-6 0-1 4, Peck-Love 4-8 we needed to be and we just PC on the backboards by a thing from their minds. times in the second half. The 3-5 12, McDyess 5-9 1-1 11, weren't aggressive on de­ 44-30 count. In the second At the end of the fact that PC converted 29 Rogers 0-1 0-0 0, Pitts 1-2 1-2 3, fense." Unfortunately, the half 'Bama grabbed 12 more game, Michael Brown was Bethel 0-1 0-0 0. boards than the Friars (29-17) leaving the court with his foul shots combined with the Providence 33-37: 70 Friars never tightened up the foul troubles of George But­ Alabama 38-38: 76 defensive screws to where and cleaned 11 offensive re­ chin practically on the floor. ler and Othella Harrington 3 Pt. Goals- PC: Phelps they needed to be. Dickey bounds. In that half, it Michael Smith caught up to helped seal their first Big 4, Brown 3, Abdullah UA: Orange seemed as though every him, put his arm around him 5, Faulkner 2, Peck-Love 1. Rebs- Simpkins said it best: "We East Championship. Fresh PC: 30 (Smith 10) UA: 44 didn't play PC basketball." carom off the rim ended up and said "Keep your chin off another stellar 15 point (McDyess 12). Assists- PC: 17 2. The Friars were in Alabama's hands. This up!" They left the floor to­ performance, Phelps (Abdullah 10) UA: 15 (Orange 5). killed in the second half by game was billed as a battle gether with Smith's arm emerged victorious in a TO- PC: 15 UA: 22. a 6:11 scoring drought which of physical frontcourt teams supportively on Brown's saw a 51-50 Alabama lead (at and PC seemed to have the shoulders. Michael's advice the 10:39 mark) jump to 61- advantage when Alabama is good for the whole Friar Special Edition Staff 50 with five minutes left in picked squad: they should keep the game. "We were strug­ up his second personal foul their chins up. They have alot to be proud of. They ac­ Editor-In-Chief...... Noelle Cusack ’94 gling to score and took a three minutes into the game. couple of bad shots down the But the Friars didn't have complished more than any­ Sports Editor...... Matt Mlodzinski '94 stretch," Barnes said. that fire in them down low one probably thought they Asst. Sports Editor...... Justin Macione '95 Michael Smith added that that helped them dominate could. Anyone, except them­ Asst. Copy Editor...... Christian T. Potts '94 the Friars "dug ourselves a on the boards during the sea­ selves, that is. Faculty Moderator...... Dr. Richard Testa hole and it was too late at the son. The tenacity that de­ end." fined them all season wasn't ' ' ; \ r' 77 ’ ' ; ""i The Cowl 3 Special Edition-----

,______The Road To The Still More Bitchings, Big East Observations, and Opinions Championship Just Hoops, Baby! by Matt Mlodzinski '94 Quarterfinals Semifinals Sports Editor March 11 March 12 #4 PROVIDENCE 77 #4 PROVIDENCE 69 Things To Remember and when the team needed tonight. You watch! We'll #5 VILLANOVA 66 #1 UCONN 67 ... The Big East Champion­ him most, he came up huge be celebratin' tonight." ship. PC's seniors step it at the Big East Tournament. Thanks for the karma lady. up in a big way and silence The All-Name Selections Providence Providence Not only did we lose but Smith 11-14 3-4 25, Smith 3-5 0-0 6, a lot of critics as the Friars PC's sub-region in UTC lost by 29 points to Wiliams 3-9 3-6 9, Simpkins 4-6 3- Wiliams 4-7 0-0 8, Simpkins 6-10 win their first ever crown. Kentucky had some great Kansas 3 11, Abdullah 1-2 4-6 6, Brown 5- 8-10 20, Abdullah 1-3 0-0 2, ... Despite depleted num­ names in it. The first team: 4. The next day as I 110-0 10, Phelps 2-9 2-2 6, Brown 2-8 2-3 6, Phelps 10-11 0-1 bers due to spring break, Abdul Abdullah (PC), Shon watched that Kansas- UT Croshere 3-4 34 10, Zielinski 0-1 23, Croshere 2-6 0-0 4, Zielinski 0- PC's fans at the Big East 0-1 0. 3 0-0 0. Peck-Love (Alabama), Chattanooga game, some­ Villanova Connecticut Tournament pumped up Ochiel Swaby (Central one dumped a soda down Eberz 3-9 0-0 7, Wilson Dy. Marshall 3-9 2-2 9, the volume. Although Florida), Roland Cruick- my left shoe on press row. 1-3 1-2 3, Lawson 5-14 8-10 18, DI. Marshall 7-16 3-4 19, Hayward being outnumbered by shank (College of Charles­ 5. Alabama’s Haynes 2-10 2-2 8, Kittles 8-15 1-2 0-2 4-4 4, Ollie 2-3 3-6 7, Sheffer 3- about a 15:1 ratio by ton), and Line Darner 17, Wiliams 3-6 5-5 12, Harris 0-2 114-5 H,Knight010-0 0,Allen5- Marvin Orange seemed to 1-2 1. 9 44 17, Fair 0-3 0-0 0,Willingham UConn fans, PC's faithful (Purdue). We also had be way off the mark during Providence 40-37: 77 0-0 0-0 0, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0. were just as loudfif not fruits (Marvin Orange- the pre-game shoot around. Villanova 23-43: 66 Providence 28-41: 69 louder) during the semifi­ 'Bama), fast food kings I laughingly said to myself 3 Point Goals- PC: Connecticut 29-38: 67 nal game with the Huskies. (- 'Bama), and that if he shoots like that, Croshere VU: Haynes 2, Eberz, 3 Pt. Goals- PC: Phelps 3 Wiliams. Rebs- HZ: 42 (Smith 12) Conn: Allen 3, DI. Marshall 2, Dy. ... Michael Smith grabbing the closest name I've ever we'll win by 20. After VU: 29 (Lawson 11). Assists- PC: Marshall, Sheffer. Rebs- PC: 24 a Big East record 26 re­ heard to a gum disease: Orange hit five first half 19 (Abdullah 11) VU: 13 (Williams (Smith 8) Conn: 41 (Dy. Marshall bounds as the Friars upset Paul Gilvydis of Purdue. three pointers, I wasn't 6). TO- PC: 18 VU: 13 Atten­ 9). Assists- PC: 14 (Abdullah 10) nationally-ranked Syracuse Bad Omens at the NCAAs feeling quite as happy. dance: 19,544. Conn: 14 (Ollie 10). TO- PC 7 Conn: 11. Attendance: 19,544 at the Civic Center. Too many little Miscellany ... Abdul Abdullah's things went wrong before ... The Friars frontcourt will buzzer-beater layup against PC's game that may have be a big strength next year Finals Villanova been indicators that things with Eric Williams, Austin March 13 ... Seeing Abdullah dunk weren't going to fall my Croshere, Western, and the #4 PROVIDENCE 74 at Midnight Madness. I way or tne Friars way. redshirted never thought Abdul had 1. My connecting returning. The backcourt #6 GEORGETOWN 64 that kind or rise. Then flight from Pittsburgh to could provide some again, I thought UConn, Lexington got cancelled. problems; namely who UMass, Kentucky and After a re-route through takes over for Abdul? Providence Louisville would be in the Smith 5-11 6-8 16, Cincinnati, my scheduled ... Michael Smith should Williams 2-410-12 14, Simpkins 4- Final Four. Being Polish four hour journey became a end up in the NBA next 13 8-13 16, Abdullah 2-4 0-0 4, has it's down sides, doesn't nine and a half hour fiasco. year because he can re­ Brown 1-8 7-8 9, Phelps 3-6 7-11 it? 2. At the Lexington bound like a maniac and he 15, Croshere 0-1 0-0 0, Zielinski 0-0 ... Watching Michael Smith airport, the shuttle to take 0-00. constantly has a fire lit in Georgetown and Michael Brown walk­ me to my hotel blew right himthat will impress the Churchwell 2-9 1-1 5, ing ott the court together past me as I waved futilely pros. Reid 1-4 0-0 2, Harrington 4-8 3-4 after the Alabama loss (see to stop him. There’s ... St. John's will be incred­ 11, Brown 4-12 4-6 13, Butler 6-15 article on page 2). This another hour blown ible very soon after signing 4-5 18, Spencer 2-41-3 5, Church 0-1 0-0 0, Jacques 1-8 0-1 3, Millen team talked about how waiting for him to come Felipe Lopez and Zendon 1-4 0-0 3, Dia 2-3 OO 4, Morgan 0- they stuck together all back. Hamilton. These two have 0 0-0 0, Micoud 0-1 0-0 0. season long and seeing 3. On the elevator superstar ability from what Providence 31-43: 74 these two really drove that at my hotel, an elderly lady I've seen and heard. Don't Georgetown 27-37: 64 3Pt. Goals-PC: Phelps 2 point home. who was a massive UT forget that St. John's only GU: Butler 2, Brown, Jacques, Things to Forget Chattanooga fan got all major loss will be Millen. Rebs- PC: 39 (Smith 16) ... The loss to Alabama in excited when she saw my Shawnelle Scott. GU: 46 (Harrington, Brown 7). the NCAA tournament. PC t-shirt. She says: "I've ... Bill Raftery is the best Assists- PC: 14 (Abdullah 9) GU: 7 ... Arturas Kamishovas' (Brown 3). TO- PC: 11 GU: 10 got a real good feeling for color man in the business. Attendance 19,544. last second three-pointer you guys and the Moes He knows his stuff and that beat the Friars at the (UTC). We're both gonna seems like he's having a Meadowlands. go out and whip some butt blast during every telecast. ... PC's game at I turned on the Purdue- Georgetown which may Duke game the other day, 1994 Big East have been the team's worst and heard Greg Gumbel, played game of the year but the color man wasn't ... Having to swallow the saying anything. All of the All-Tournament Team fact that Franklin Western sudden hit a was on the bench because bank shot and Raff blurted of injuries. He was red-hot ” ^ROV/DENCE out his specialty. He at the beginning of the year ^JgnggFR/ARS simply yelled: "THE but the injury bug bit him KISSS!" I vote to give Raff badly. Hopefully, he'll be the color job at the Final back at 100% next season. Four and pop Packer in the His jump from bench studio. Packer is O.K., but warmer to starter in one Raftery is far too exciting to Smith Simpkins year is a true testament to be stuck in the studio. Franklin's abilities and is one of the best comebacks in Big East history. Photo ... All this crap that Rob Not Phelps was a disappoint­ Available ment. Rob never devel­ oped into a massive offensive weapon, but he Harrington Butler was a consummate team player. He did whatever Michael Smith, Providence was asked of him and he Dickey Simpkins, Providence always managed to make Rob Phelps, Providence things happen when he Othella Harrington, Georgetown came into the game. George Butler, Georgetown Tipping passes, forcing a Donyell Marshall, UConn turnover... you name it. He was probably the team Tournament MVP leader in floor bums Michael Smith, Providence The Cowl 4 1 • j • March 28,1994 ..*...... Special Edition WowM— A *■» Again!!A A Lady Friars' Third Straight Crown Proves That They're No Joke with an overall record of 19- oints. Defensively, the first knocked off the UNH it three straight! Like the title by Matt Mlodzinski '94 ady Friar goaltenders (Gina Wildcats with a close 3-2 of this article says: WOW!!! Sports Editor 8-4 and an outstanding 11-0- E 2 mark in ECAC play. PC Martiniello '94, Natalie win. The script was much Congratulations to the entire Fresh off of back to tempered the loss of Granato Mancuso '97, and Natasha the same as the Dartmouth Lady Friars ice hockey pro­ back EC AC Championships, and Michelle Johansson with Fine '97) were nothing short game as Bailey, O'Sullivan, gram on an outstanding sea­ the Providence Lady Friars a strong distribution of of­ of outstanding compiling a and Wheeler again lit the red son. What do you think of ice hockey team headed into fensive punch. Junior .925 save percentage and a light and Martiniello was a four strai... well, let's just the 1993-94 season much the Stephanie O'Sullivan fin­ 1.70 goals-against average in wall in goal. Next up: the enjoy the trifecta for now. same as the ished the regular season net­ ECAC play. Northeastern Huskies for the Congrats again to the three­ headed into their NBA sea­ ting 26 goals and adding 28 After a strong regu­ championship. time ECAC Champions! son: without one of the best assists for 54 points. She was lar season, the Lady Friars For the third straight players in the world. As the voted to the first team All- set their sights on another time, the Lady Friars did not Bulls were without Michael ECAC squad for her efforts. playoff run and they did not fail in the title game handing Jordan, the Lady Friars were Joining her on the first team disappoint. They first took a 5-2 loss to Northeastern. without superstar Cammi was senior Chris Bailey who out Dartmouth at home with The win upped coach John Granato. The graduated se­ had 7 goals and 16 assists (23 a 4-1 quarterfinal victory. Marchetti's career record to nior is quite possibly THE points) entering the playoffs. Chris Bailey netted a pair of an awesome 264-68-7. It also best player in the world. Vicki Movsessian was in­ goals while Alison Wheeler meant that PC's seven se­ Lose a player like that and jured at the end of the sea­ and Steph O'Sullivan each niors would go out where there's bound to be a let­ son, but she garnered second chipped one in. Gina they belonged: on top. down right? Wrong! team honors. Martiniello was stellar with While the Lady Fri­ The Lady Friars Adding scoring 24 saves. ars women's soccer team looked as though they never punch was freshman sensa­ The venue then and Friars men's basketball missed a beat as they cap- tion Alison Wheeler who shifted to Brown University team were winning their first tuTpd their third consecutive contributed 21 goals and 20 where PC declawed their ever Big East crowns this ECAC title. They finished assists for an impressive 41 next two opponents. They year, this team w? s making

CHRIS BAILEY STEPHANIE O'SULLIVAN VICKI MOVSESSIAN Senior Defense Junior Left Wing Senior Defense First Team All-ECAC First Team All-ECAC Second Team All-ECAC

GINA MARTINIELLO LYNN MANNING Senior Goaltender Senior Right Wing