New Head Coach Bryan Hodgson will face several major tests before the Big East slate begins

By KEVIN McNAMARA

New Providence coach Bryan Hodgson will need to have his team ready for action early on in his first season with the Friars.

Providence announced its non-conference schedule Tuesday and the slate features tests from the opening week through the start of Big East play in December. The Friars will open the season against Maine on Nov. 2 and then face Nebraska at Mohegan Sun.

Home games against Bryant (Nov. 10 or 11), Colorado (Nov. 14) and Sacred Heart (Nov. 17) will follow.

Then comes a trip to the Maui Invitational from Nov. 23-25. The other teams in the tournament are Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, VCU and Washington.

The Friars return home to face Stonehill (Dec. 1), play on the road at URI (Dec. 5) and host Fairfield (Dec. 8). On Saturday, Dec. 19, the Friars will face former Big East foe Syracuse in the Hall of Fame Series at TD Garden in Boston, Mass.

The 12-game slate includes games against teams from the ACC (Syracuse), Big 10 (Nebraska) and Big 12 (Colorado). The schedule for the Maui event has yet to be announced but will also feature matchups against teams from the best conferences in the nation.

Providence has refused to schedule Bryant on a regular basis in the past but will host Jamion Christian’s Bulldogs. PC’s trip to the Ryan Center to face URI will be its only true non-league road game and the Friars are not playing Brown this season.

PC Non-Conference Schedule

Oct. 17 vs. Pittsburgh (Exhib)

Oct. 24 vs. Georgia Tech (Exhib)

Nov. 2 vs. Maine

Nov. 7 vs. Nebraska (Mohegan Sun Arena)

Nov. 10 or 11 vs. Bryant

Nov. 14 vs. Colorado

Nov. 17 vs. Sacred Heart

Nov. 23-24-25 at Maui Invitational, Lahaina Civic Center

Teams include: Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, VCU, Washington

Dec. 1 vs. Stonehill

Dec. 5 at Rhode Island

Dec. 8 vs. Fairfield

Dec. 19 vs. Syracuse at TD Garden, Hall of Fame Series