Spring Break
The Storrs Side: Providence dominance of UConn basketball
Russell Blair
Issue date: 1/29/09 Section: Sports
Jan. 28, 2006, three years and one day ago exactly, the last time UConn managed to gain a victory against the lowly Providence Friars.
In the three years since UConn has gone to two NCAA tournaments, the team reached the Elite eight in 2006, and battled for the Big East championship in Madison Square Garden. Providence has had a first-round exit in the NIT and not much else. Despite the obvious disparity in national rankings and talent, the Huskies simply can't knock off the Friars.
Even when UConn won the national championship in 2004, Providence managed to knock off the then-No. 4 Huskies in front of a sellout crowd at the former Hartford Civic Center. UConn ended up getting the last laugh; however, as it hoisted its second national championship banner while the Friars went on to lose to the University of the Pacific in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Though the 2007-08 season will most likely be remembered for either the suspensions of Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins or the first round loss to San Diego, UConn also suffered two losses to Providence including a 12-point thumping at the XL Center. While the loss spurred the Huskies to go on a 10-game winning streak, UConn fell again to the Friars in front of a national audience, foreshadowing its ineptitude to defeat small private colleges.
So while most students may write off Saturday's game as a gimme just remember this. If Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon, the number two and three picks in the 2004 NBA Draft couldn't get it done, what chance does this years team have?
Unless of course Jeff Xavier's brother comes onto the court and calls a timeout the Friars don't have.
In the three years since UConn has gone to two NCAA tournaments, the team reached the Elite eight in 2006, and battled for the Big East championship in Madison Square Garden. Providence has had a first-round exit in the NIT and not much else. Despite the obvious disparity in national rankings and talent, the Huskies simply can't knock off the Friars.
Even when UConn won the national championship in 2004, Providence managed to knock off the then-No. 4 Huskies in front of a sellout crowd at the former Hartford Civic Center. UConn ended up getting the last laugh; however, as it hoisted its second national championship banner while the Friars went on to lose to the University of the Pacific in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Though the 2007-08 season will most likely be remembered for either the suspensions of Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins or the first round loss to San Diego, UConn also suffered two losses to Providence including a 12-point thumping at the XL Center. While the loss spurred the Huskies to go on a 10-game winning streak, UConn fell again to the Friars in front of a national audience, foreshadowing its ineptitude to defeat small private colleges.
So while most students may write off Saturday's game as a gimme just remember this. If Emeka Okafor and Ben Gordon, the number two and three picks in the 2004 NBA Draft couldn't get it done, what chance does this years team have?
Unless of course Jeff Xavier's brother comes onto the court and calls a timeout the Friars don't have.
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