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.