Third Annual THE Cowl Winter Sports Preview 2003-2004 Senior captain Stephen Wood looks to leave a champion. PAGE 7 PC Sophomore Donnie McGrath is no one hit wonder. PAGE 6 2 The Cowl Winter Sports Preview October 16, 2003 Experience is the key to success Senior Sheiku Kabba saw most of last year playing the shooting guard, starting With nine men all but one game for the Friars. Also bringing three years of Big East experience, Kabba was second on the returning from team in scoring last year (10 ppg.), and his quickness on defense led to his team last year, the high of 56 steals. Friars are look­ It’s a very talented back court, ing for veteran there is no doubt about it. Talent, experience, versatility leadership to all four guys could play either position if they had to. How take them far they all fit in together though, this season will be very important Bob Walsh Ryan Durkay ’05 Sports Staff Sophomore Donnie McGrath The Providence College Men’s exceeded all expectations in his Basketball teams from 1973, 1987 and freshman season. He was one of only 1997 all have one thing in common—a two Friars to start every single game, and deep run in the NCAA tournament. The was third on the team with 9.1 points a 1973 team was a sprained knee away game, 2.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. He from a National Championship berth, recorded a team-high 58 three pointers and the 1987 eam’s championship and also 138 assists—the third highest dreams died >n the floor of the Super total ever for a freshman at Providence. Dome against a talented Syracuse team. For his efforts, McGrath received Big Lastly, the, 1997 team was a Corey East All-Rookie team honors. Wright three pointer away from a Final “It’s a very talented back court, there Four entry. is no doubt about it. Talent, experience, What these teams didn’t have is what versatility all four guys could play either the current Friars do—an extremely deep position if they had to. How they all fit team with the talent and experience that in together though, will be very it obviously possesses. Of the 12 players important,” said Walsh. on the Friars roster for 2003-04, nine Providence lost three players from have started in at least one Big East last year’s squad—Kareem Hayletts to game. The three that have not are graduation, Leland Anderson, and freshmen Romuald Augustin, who transferred to - ‘Our goal is the same every year, to Division II Bryant College in the win the Big East championship and offseason. However, it also welcomes make the NCA \ ournament, said four newcomers who will be looked at Assistant Coach Bob Walsh. to contribute early on this season. This year’s freshmen class is one of They all have versatility and PC/page 3 strength. We have all these Men’s Basketball guys who can play three spots, 2003-2004 but it depends on who rebounds the ball, they will play and that will be key to our success. Head Coach: Tim Welsh Bob Walsh 2002- 2003 Review: Overall record 18-14 PC finished last season with an 18- Big East record 8-8 14 record, posted an 8-8 record in the The Friars finished third in Big East Conference, and earned third the Conference’s East place in the Conference’s East division. division and earned them After bowing out of the Big East Junior forwards Ryan Gomes (above) and Rob Sanders (left) and senior selves their first postsea­ Tournament to Pittsburgh, Providence Sheiku Kabba (right) averaged 18.4,7.4, and 10 points pre game respec son berth since 2000-01 accepted an invitation to play in the NIT, tively last season. receiving a NIT bid. where the Friars went 2-1 before losing to Georgetown in the second round. throw percentage by a sophomore (.844), the returning players from the frontcourt. Despite the early exit in the NIT and and most field goals by a forward (213). Kotti produced 7.7 points and 3.6 2003- 2004 Preview: not receiving an NCAA berth, Additionally, his 589 points last season rebounds a game for Welsh last season, Providence still accomplished much in ranks 12th all-time at PC for a single­ Laksa finished with an average of 8.5 Key returnees: a season that at one point seemed to be season total. points and 2.4 rebounds— ranking third Backcourt: doomed—with the Friars dropping six Gomes finished 21st in the nation and on the team in three pointers made, while Donnie McGrath 9.1 ppg of seven games and falling below .500 fourth in the Conference in rebounds per Anrin averaged 3.0 a game in 22 games. Sheiku Kabba lO.Oppg (at 10-11 overall and 3-7 in the Big East). game, with an average of 9.7. To top it "They all have versatility and Abdul Mills (redshirted last After a horrible half against St. John’s, off, Gomes is just 79 points shy from strength,” said Walsh. “We have all these season) however, they turned things around to 1,000 in his career. guys who can play three spots, but it win eight of their last 11 games. “He’s a huge key because he is a go depends on who rebounds the ball, they Frontcourt: “We were happy with the way we to guy,” said Walsh. “He’s a guy that will play and that will be key to our finished the season, but we weren’t the defense has to worry about, because success.” Ryan Gomes 18.4ppg/g 7rpg happy with the middle of the season,” he can make a play.” The Friars’ backcourt is quite Marcus Douthit 3.0 bpg said Walsh. “Overall we felt we could Joining Gomes in the frontcourt is possibly one of the greatest to ever wear Rob Sanders 7.4ppg have been a NCAA team, and again senior center Marcus Douthit. At 6-10, a Providence College uniform. The trio Tuukka Kotti 7.7ppg that’s the goal, that is why we are here.” Douthit will be asked to patrol the paint of sophomore Donnie McGrath, senior Maris Laksa 8.5ppg Undoubtedly, the leader of this deep for Providence. Last year he blocked 97 Sheiku Kabba and fifth year senior Chris Anrin 3.0ppg. Friar team is junior forward Ryan shots ranking 11th in the country and Abdul Mills will, without a doubt, be one Gomes. Last year, he led the team in third in the Big East. of the best backcourts in the Big East. Newcomers: scoring, rebounding, minutes per game, Rob Sanders returns for his junior Mills was the leading scorer for the Backcourt: and free throw percentage, and earned year as the Friars most athletic player. Friars in 2001-2002, posting 14.5 a game Dwight Brewington Second Team All Big East, USBWA All­ His numbers from last year might not before a hip injury forced him to sit out District I, Basketball Times All­ jump out as being the most impressive, last season. As a junior, he started 28 Gerald Brown Northeast, and Second Team NABC but much of that is due to lack of playing games, reached double figures in scoring District I honors. time early in the season. At the point of 25 times and scored 20 or more points Frontcourt: He posted 17 double-doubles and his insertion into the starting line-up, in five games. A talented left-handed Jeff Palmer scored 20 or more points in 15 games. however, he averaged 11.4 points in the jump shooter, he also led the squad with Herbert Hill (redshirted last 10 games of the season. Gomes also rewrote the Providence 61 three pointers. Like Gomes, look for last season) record books, setting new records for Junior Tuukka Kotti and seniors Mills to break the 1,000-point mark, as most points by a sophomore (582), free Maris Laksa and Chris Anrin round out he only needs 11 points to do so. October 16, 2003 Winter Sports Preview The Cowl 3 PC:Nine Friars returning The Cowl continued from page 2 top 15 recruiting classes in the nation. Herbert Hill returns from last season’s The Cowl's Winter Sports Preview is squad, practicing with the team but red- shirting the year and retaining his AN ANNUAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE WEEKLY freshman eligibility. He is another big EDITION OF THE PAPER. It IS CREATED BY body that the Friars can throw into the The Cowl's Sports Staff with the paint for help defensively and on the NTENT TO GENERATE STUDENT INTEREST IN boards. Jeff Palmer is the only true ['HE WINTER SPORTS SEASON AT PROV1- newcomer to the Friars’ frountcourt. At sence College. 6’7, he is a solid rebounder with good low post moves, also capable of handling the ball and shooting from the outside. Dwight Brewington and Gerald The Cowl's Sports Staff includes: Brown are two big guards who can score and create their own shots. Their Kevin O’Brien ’07 athleticism and size will help the Friars STEPHANIE LaChARITE ’06 immensely. Look for Brewington to P.YAN DuRKAY ’05 contribute right away, but Brown, Pat Brown ’05 because of academic problems in high school will not be eligible to play until Larry Harvey ’05 the second semester. Nevertheless, he Stephen O’Keefe ’05 will still be a huge help to the Friars later Lauren DeMauro ’05 in the season.