With a win over the Central Connecticut Blue Devils (2-7) this Saturday, Ed Cooley will head into conference play with only one loss for the second time as head coach of the Providence Friars (9-1). The last time that happened was in 2015, when the Kris Dunn-led Friars entered Big East play at 12-1 and ranked 12th in the AP top 25.
Standing in their way is Central Connecticut, a team that has offered little resistance to opponents this season. The Blue Devils lost their first five games, including a 99-48 defeat at the hands of UConn in their opener.