PROVIDENCE – There’s nowhere to go but up for the Providence College Friars.
That’s the silver lining covering the Friars’ early-season troubles following the release of the first NCAA basketball NET strength ratings of the season on Monday. After a disappointing and under-whelming start (6-5) to the season, Ed Cooley’s team faces 20 remaining games with every one coming against the better teams in the country.
Beginning Tuesday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Friars face a demanding gauntlet where no opponent is rated outside of the top 80. In fact, Tuesday’s opponent – the Florida Gators – is the team currently ranked lowest (78th) among the remaining foes.