PROVIDENCE 2007-2008 SNAPSHOT

May 10, 2007


Head Coach: Tim Welsh
2006-2007 Record: 18-13 (8-8 Big East) NIT 1st round

Returning Players:
Charles Burch, Senior (Forward)
Sharaud Curry, Junior (Point Guard)
Weyinmi Efejuku, Junior (Guard)
Geoff McDermott, Junior (Forward)
Jonathan Kale, Junior (Big Forward)
Randall Hanke, Junior (Center)
Dwain Williams, Sophomore (Guard)
Brian McKenzie, Sophomore (Guard)
Ray Hall, Sophomore (Center)

Eligible Transfer:
Jeff Xaiver, Junior (Guard)

Incoming Players:
Jamine Peterson (Forward)
Marshon Brooks (Guard)
Alex Kellogg (Forward)

Graduated:
Herbert Hill

Transferred Out:
Jamal Barney


Open Items/Issues:
Once again it has been a busy spring recruiting period at Providence as three recruits signed letters on intent this spring: Jamine Peterson, Marshon Brooks and Alex Kellogg. The Friars missed on all their initial targets in the early signing period, but addressed a definite need when they landed Peterson last winter. 'Greedy', as he is known around NYC, is a trmendously athletic and strong forward who excels in transition and atatcking the rim. He is not going to impress many with his skills, but he will spice up the Providence attack with his high-flying ways. Brooks and Kellogg were under-the-radar recruits added late to fill out the roster, but both could be diamonds in the rough in the future, like Sharaud Curry and Geoff McDermott definitely were two years ago.

With PC still interested in Vermont transfer Joe Trapani, more roster changes could be forthcoming. Freshman Jamal Braney left the program this spring and rumors have been swirling on Dwain Williams' future status with the program for months. Williams was a late period addition last season and proved his worth providing a solid bench spark at both guard spots.

Summary:
Well, it is now or never for Tim Welsh at Providence. can you believe that after Jim Calhoun and Jim Boeheim that Welsh is the longest tenured coach in the 16-team Big East conference? He completed his 9th season at PC in 2006-2007, but has only led the Friars to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. With a six-player junior class that represents the deepest talen at PC in several seasons, Welsh is tasked with getting this group into the NCAA Tournament and having some NCAA success while also improving their recruiting to take advantage of the six open scholarships that PC will have to give out in the 2009 class. These next two years will decide Welsh's future...any sort of disappointment on 2007-2008 would likely have PC looking in another direction to get a new coach a head start on the 2009 class, but Welsh has the opportunity to end any of that speculation with a good year next season and a returning team that will have up to nine upperclassmen for the 2008-2009 season.

Along with the incomign recruits, Welsh also regains the services of two-year starter Randall Hanke in the post. Hanke took a redshirt last season after some personal issues took him away from PC for nearly the entire 1st semester. Hanke will step into the startign role vacated by all-league performer Herbert Hill. The Friars also welcome Manhattan transfer Jeff Xavier who is eligible after sitting out last season. Xavier gives the Friars a proven perimeter scorer to team with Sharaud Curry and Weyinmi Efejuku in the backcourt, giving the Friars experience and depth, someting that has not been a luxury often recently.

Geoff McDermott is recovering from offseason knee surgery and if he is healthy that will give the Friars a BIG boost next year. The presence of Ray Hall and Jonathan Kale gives the Friars some addition depth in the frontcourt. This is a well-rounded club.

There should be some excitement at Providence heading into next season. They hae all the pieces to at least finish in the top half of the Big East and they have experience and depth to boot. They need to improve away from home, finishing just 2-10 outside the Dunkin Donuts Center last season, but this team should be up for the challenge. The Friars should definitely be an NCAA bubble team at least and a couple breaks should lead them to a double-digit conference win total (maybe even 11 or 12 depending on their 18-game schedule), if they disappoint again, however, I am not sure if Tim Welsh can survive at Providence much longer.

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BIG EAST RECRUITING UPDATE: PROVIDENCE

May 1, 2007


COMMITMENT ALERT: Alex Kellogg, 6'7 F from Columbus (OH).

After striking out in the early signing period, Tim Welsh and the Providence Friars continued their recent tradition of late period recruiting work when they added a third commit this spring when Alex Kellogg decided to join the Friars. PC Sees Potential in Kellogg (Providence Journal) who chose Providence over offers from Miami (Ohio), Butler and Akron.


Projected 2007-2008 Roster


Seniors: Charlie Burch (F)
Juniors: Sharaud Curry (PG), Weyimi Efejuku (G), Geoff McDermott (G/F), Jonathon Kale (PF), Jeff Xavier (G), Randall Hanke (C)
Sophomores: Dwain Williams (G), Brian McKenzie (SG), Ray Hall (C)
Freshmen: Jamine Peterson (F), Marshon Brooks (G), Alex Kellogg (F)




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Alex Kellogg, a 6-foot-7 forward from Columbus, Ohio, signed a letter-of-intent with the Friars recently. Kellogg is the son of current CBS-TV analyst Clark Kellogg, a former All-American at Ohio State and a five-year NBA veteran. PC head coach Tim Welsh went to see Kellogg’s St. Francis DeSales High team play in the Ohio state Division II playoffs. Kellogg, who weighs in at a solid 225 lbs, averaged 15.8 points as a junior and upped that total to just over 18 points this season and earned second team all-state honors in Division II.

Kellogg joins Marshon Brooks and Jamine Peterson as late period signees for the Friars. Peterson has been well known in the NYC area for a few years with his high-flying play in the IS8 leagues and in AAU action. 'Greedy', as he is affectionately known as, is known for his rim-attacking style of play. Although just 6'5, he is fearless in attacking the hoop and battling for rebounds, playing much bigger than his listed size. Peterson left NYC for Notre Dame Prep with the hopes of getting noticed by more people, nailing down his academics and earn a scholarship to the Big East: Mission Accomplished. Peterson will have to shore up his ballhandling and extend his range to reach his maximum potential in the Big East, but his athletic ability and relentless style should fit well in a position of need for the Friars. Brooks led Tucker HS to the Class 4A Georgia championship. led the Tigers with 18.9 points a game and shot nearly 60 percent from the floor and 39 percent from the 3-point line. A late growth spurt in height kept Brooks under the recruiting radar as Alabama-Birmingham, College of Charleston, Tennessee Tech and Toledo were the list of schools showing interest prior to PC jumping into the mix earlier this spring.

The Friars are currently out of open scholarships , but at PC, that could change weekly and rumors continue to persist that Dwain Williams might not be long for the Friar program and Welsh is still looking for help as last week Vermont transfer Joe Trapani visited PC. A strong, 6-7 shooter with excellent range, Trapani will visit Michigan this week and then Boston College before making a decision.

PC has just one senior on the projected roster for '07-08 which limits their ability to recruit for the 2008 class and with half their scholarship players being juniors next season, saving the 'ships for '08 would be a wise move, but the Friars do need to do a better job in closing earlier on their top prospects so they are not left scrambling in the late period, which often times leads to plugging a round hole with a square peg, it can lead to some diamonds in the rough, or some rough times with a roster that seems unstable.

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