{"id":196281,"date":"2026-05-28T15:01:12","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T19:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=196281"},"modified":"2026-05-28T15:01:12","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T19:01:12","slug":"providence-big-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/05\/28\/providence-big-east\/","title":{"rendered":"The New Look Providence Friars Are Poised To Be A Force In The Big East"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kim English’s time at Providence did not go according to plan. In three years as the Friars’ head coach, he posted a 48-52 record and failed to make the NCAA tournament. In a search for stability that the Friars have not had since Ed Cooley<\/a>, the program opted to hire rising coach Bryan Hodgson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Hodgson, once an assistant to Nate Oats at Alabama, also had successful head-coaching stints at Arkansas State and South Florida last year, where he went 25-9 and reached the NCAA tournament. Along with a new coach, the Friars have a whole new roster, like their conference foe, Xavier<\/a>. Providence is also only returning one starter from last year. That is rising junior Ryan Mela<\/a>, who averaged 9.9 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, and shot 50% from the floor. Mela looks to be a big part of Hodgson’s tough brand of basketball for the Friars.<\/p>\n

The New Look Providence Friars Are Poised To Be A Force In The Big East<\/h2>\n

Providence’s Recruit<\/h3>\n

This may not be a big recruiting class for Providence, in terms of the number of recruits, but it is quality over quantity when it comes to this year’s class for the Friars. The lone recruit for Providence is G-League standout guard Dink Pate<\/a>. Pate is 20 years of age and has played in the G-League for 3 years. Last year, Pate played for the Westchester Knicks, where he averaged 16 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assists per game. He also participated in the NBA Rising Stars Challenge. Even though Pate played professionally in the G-League, many people expect Pate to be granted eligibility because he never officially signed a 10-day contract.<\/p>\n

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BREAKING: Westchester Knicks guard Dink Pate has committed to Providence, his agent Sam Permut of @RocNationSports<\/a> told ESPN. G-League star turned down two-way and 10-day opportunities to maintain eligibility. Former top-30 recruit is averaging 16.0 PPG this season. pic.twitter.com\/SNLnJV8zRH<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n