Providence College’s men’s basketball program is marking a century of play, and the journey toward its 100th season began with a series of summer workouts that left the gym buzzing with energy.
A Milestone Season Begins
Coach Bryan Hodgson described the work as a foundation for a culture he hopes will carry the Friars through a demanding schedule. The team’s preparation has been methodical, with players pushing each other under the watchful eye of staff as they aim to build chemistry before the first exhibition game.
Eligibility Battles
Among the storylines is the NCAA’s pending rulings on G‑League prospect Dink Pate and Italian commit Leonardo Marangon, both of whom could reshape the roster. Joseph Pinion, a former teammate of Hodgson at Arkansas State and South Florida, has also been training with the club and may seek an additional year of eligibility, adding depth to the frontcourt.
A Rigorous Nonconference Road
The schedule the Friars have assembled reads like a test of endurance. They will open the season against a slate that includes Atlantic 10 champion VCU, perennial power Arizona, and Colorado State, each program coming off notable successes. VCU, under coach Phil Martelli Jr., captured its conference title in its debut year and even knocked off North Carolina, underscoring the level of competition awaiting Providence.
Exhibition matchups in October will give the team a final tune‑up before the November opener, a moment Hodgson says the players are eager to embrace as they look to translate summer grind into on‑court results.