Welcome to the latest edition of the Providence Journal's college basketball podcast. The opening week of the season is upon us.

Journal sports writer Bill Koch and Morey Hershgordon -- sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence -- were in studio to hit on the first few days of action in the state.

Providence (1:30) is off to a 2-0 start but still has room to improve after wins over Fairfield and Sacred Heart. The Friars will be tested Monday in a Gavitt Games encounter with Wisconsin.

The University of Rhode Island and Bryant both opened with victories and squared off Friday night. The Rams (18:30) defended well in downing Boston University while the Bulldogs (29:00) fired on offense while dismissing Fisher College. 

Brown (38:20) takes a major step up in class at North Carolina on Friday night. The Bears returned after a year-long absence by cruising past Salve Regina on Tuesday.

URI's women (48:15) finish a Friday doubleheader in Kingston by hosting Merrimack. We look at the Rams and their quick start with a hammering of Dartmouth on Tuesday.

Thanks as always for listening. Much more to come this season.