Welcome to the latest edition of the Providence Journal College Basketball Podcast. This is Bill Koch, sports writer for The Journal. I'm joined as always by Nick Coit, sports director at ABC6 and the weekend co-host of Cordischi and Coit on WEEI Providence.
Bryce Hopkins suffered a season-ending knee injury Wednesday night (3:30) and Providence's 2023-24 campaign now veers into the unknown (8:05). The Friars fell to Seton Hall and face an uncertain road that starts with a visit to Creighton.
URI looks like a new team with David Green eligible and David Fuchs back from concussion protocol (21:15). The Rams rallied past Saint Joseph's in a Wednesday stunner and could be a factor in the Atlantic 10 moving forward.
Saturday brings women's conference action across the state. URI (40:10) and Providence (50:05) will host St. Bonaventure and St. John's, respectively. More on the Rams and Friars here.
Bryant's women host UMBC on Saturday after an opening America East loss at Albany (60:35). The Great Danes on paper figured to be a much tougher challenge than the Retrievers -- the Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back.
Bryant's men begin America East play at UMBC on Saturday (65:35). The Bulldogs have survived a meatgrinder of a nonconference schedule and should be primed to make a run in the league.
Brown's men lost a comfortable lead and fell to Vermont in their nonconference finale (70:05). The Bears need a fresh start in the Ivy League after a latest tough setback.
Brown's women also jump into Ivy League play this weekend with a trip to Dartmouth (77:50). The Bears could be in line for a postseason berth after a strong trip through their nonconference schedule.
Thanks as always for listening. Hope your 2024 is off to a great start.