Journal writers Kevin McNamara and Bill Koch look at the performance of the PC Friars and URI Rams early in each team's nonconference schedule, as well as the Brown Bears and Bryant Bulldogs.

Journal writers Kevin McNamara and Bill Koch look at the performance of the PC Friars and URI Rams early in each team's nonconference schedule, as well as the Brown Bears and Bryant Bulldogs.

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Early season struggles for Friars, Rams

Hello and welcome to the latest Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for the Journal. I'm joined by my usual co-conspirators -- Nick Coit, the sports director at ABC6 and WEEI-Providence weekend co-host of Cordischi and Coit, and Morey Hershgordon, the sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence.

Providence ended a nervous wait on Selection Sunday with a seventh NCAA Tournament bid in the last 12 years (2:35). Bryce Hopkins faces his former teammates at Kentucky -- he spent the 2021-22 season with the Wildcats (13:25).

The coaching carousel is spinning and could bring an outside distraction. Ed Cooley is reportedly among the primary targets for Georgetown (35:15). He declined to put the rumors to bed Sunday night -- we examine that here.

And last but not least, on to the brackets (53:40). We offer some chalk and a few surprises through the first two rounds in the East Region (55:30), West Region (66:40), Midwest Region (78:45) and South Region (89:45). Sweet 16 and Elite Eight selections will be revealed on the next edition of the podcast.

Thanks as always for listening. 

Hello and welcome to the latest Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for the Journal. I'm joined by my usual co-conspirators -- Nick Coit, the sports director at ABC6 and WEEI-Providence weekend co-host of Cordischi and Coit, and Morey Hershgordon, the sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence.
Providence ended a nervous wait on Selection Sunday with a seventh NCAA Tournament bid in the last 12 years (2:35). Bryce Hopkins faces his former teammates at Kentucky -- he spent the 2021-22 season with the Wildcats (13:25).
The coaching carousel is spinning and could bring an outside distraction. Ed Cooley is reportedly among the primary targets for Georgetown (35:15). He declined to put the rumors to bed Sunday night -- we examine that here.
And last but not least, on to the brackets (53:40). We offer some chalk and a few surprises through the first two rounds in the East Region (55:30), West Region (66:40), Midwest Region (78:45) and South Region (89:45). Sweet 16 and Elite Eight selections will be revealed on the next edition of the podcast.
Thanks as always for listening.

Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast: Providence-Kentucky, Ed Cooley rumors and March Madness picks

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for The Journal. I'm joined by Morey Hershgordon, sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence, and Nick Coit, sports director at ABC6 and weekend WEEI-Providence co-host of Cordischi and Coit.

Providence's men (1:25) are staggering into the Big East Tournament after a loss to Seton Hall and a 4-5 mark in their last nine. The Friars face Connecticut in a Thursday quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden

Brown's men (20:05) missed out on Ivy Madness via tiebreaker after a home loss to Yale. Cornell claimed the fourth spot in the league while the Bears fell a victory shy of a first appearance.

Bryant's men (31:10) suffered an America East quarterfinal loss at New Hampshire to close their season. The Bulldogs were hoping for a fresh start after dropping four of their last five.

Mary Burke (41:40) will step away from the Bryant women after 32 years. She crafted a Hall of Fame career as a student-athlete at Toll Gate and Providence and then as a coach with the Bulldogs.

The University of Rhode Island women (47:15) were upset by Saint Louis in the Atlantic 10 semifinals. The Billikens went on to finish their Cinderella mission by downing Massachusetts in the title game. The Rams and Minutewomen are likely bound for the WNIT.

Thanks as always for listening. 

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for The Journal. I'm joined by Morey Hershgordon, sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence, and Nick Coit, sports director at ABC6 and weekend WEEI-Providence co-host of Cordischi and Coit.
Providence's men (1:25) are staggering into the Big East Tournament after a loss to Seton Hall and a 4-5 mark in their last nine. The Friars face Connecticut in a Thursday quarterfinal at Madison Square Garden
Brown's men (20:05) missed out on Ivy Madness via tiebreaker after a home loss to Yale. Cornell claimed the fourth spot in the league while the Bears fell a victory shy of a first appearance.
Bryant's men (31:10) suffered an America East quarterfinal loss at New Hampshire to close their season. The Bulldogs were hoping for a fresh start after dropping four of their last five.
Mary Burke (41:40) will step away from the Bryant women after 32 years. She crafted a Hall of Fame career as a student-athlete at Toll Gate and Providence and then as a coach with the Bulldogs.
The University of Rhode Island women (47:15) were upset by Saint Louis in the Atlantic 10 semifinals. The Billikens went on to finish their Cinderella mission by downing Massachusetts in the title game. The Rams and Minutewomen are likely bound for the WNIT.
Thanks as always for listening.

Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast: Saturday blues for PC, Brown, Bryant men, URI women

Welcome to the latest Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for the Journal. I'm joined by Nick Coit, sports director at ABC6 and WEEI-Providence weekend co-host of Cordischi and Coit, and Morey Hershgordon, sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence.

The University of Rhode Island women (1:25) captured a first Atlantic 10 regular season title and head to their conference tournament this weekend. A look at the Rams, how Reiss has transformed them and what the future might look like in Kingston.

Providence's men (24:35) head into a critical final week of their regular season. The Friars would be no worse than the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament with home wins over Xavier and Seton Hall. Providence is also playing for an improved NCAA Tournament seed.

Is Tyler Kolek (34:55) the Big East Player of the Year? The Cumberland native has enjoyed a superb season with Marquette, which could win the league title Tuesday night.

Brown's men (46:05) effectively start their postseason Saturday night. The Bears host Yale with a place in Ivy Madness at stake. A win and Brown claims the fourth spot in the league tournament at Princeton.

Bryant's men (55:40) have one game left at Maine prior to beginning America East tournament action. The Bulldogs could be hosting a quarterfinal on Saturday -- whether or not they can build some momentum remains to be seen.

Thanks as always for listening.

Welcome to the latest Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for the Journal. I'm joined by Nick Coit, sports director at ABC6 and WEEI-Providence weekend co-host of Cordischi and Coit, and Morey Hershgordon, sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence.
The University of Rhode Island women (1:25) captured a first Atlantic 10 regular season title and head to their conference tournament this weekend. A look at the Rams, how Reiss has transformed them and what the future might look like in Kingston.
Providence's men (24:35) head into a critical final week of their regular season. The Friars would be no worse than the No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament with home wins over Xavier and Seton Hall. Providence is also playing for an improved NCAA Tournament seed.
Is Tyler Kolek (34:55) the Big East Player of the Year? The Cumberland native has enjoyed a superb season with Marquette, which could win the league title Tuesday night.
Brown's men (46:05) effectively start their postseason Saturday night. The Bears host Yale with a place in Ivy Madness at stake. A win and Brown claims the fourth spot in the league tournament at Princeton.
Bryant's men (55:40) have one game left at Maine prior to beginning America East tournament action. The Bulldogs could be hosting a quarterfinal on Saturday -- whether or not they can build some momentum remains to be seen.
Thanks as always for listening.

Early season struggles for Friars, Rams

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