Nate Watson and the Friars will play three Big East games before New Year (Photo: Big East Conference)

By KEVIN McNAMARA

The action will start early and heavy for the Providence Friars this season.

After a rugged non-conference schedule wraps up in early December, the Friars will open Big East play with a trip to Storrs to face Dan Hurley and the Connecticut Huskies. That’s the first of three Big East games before we say goodbye to 2021. PC’s home slate begins Dec. 22 against Georgetown.

The Friars open 2022 with a trip to the Midwest to face DePaul and Marquette. That is one of two times where the Friars will play two consecutive games on the road. They will open February at St. John’s and Georgetown.

The end of the season offers a trip to Villanova on March 1. The Wildcats will again be heavy favorites to win the Big East title and will certainly start the season ranked in the Top 10 nationally.

DECEMBER

Sat. 18 at UConn

Wed. 22 Georgetown

Wed. 29 Seton Hall

JANUARY

Sat. 1 at DePaul

Tue. 4 at Marquette

Sat. 8 St. John’s

Tue. 11 at Creighton

Sat. 15 UConn

Tue. 18 at Seton Hall

Sun. 23 Butler

Wed. 26 at Xavier

Sat. 29 Marquette

FEBRUARY

Tue. 1 at St. John’s

Sun. 6 at Georgetown

Sat. 12 DePaul

Tue. 15 Villanova

Sun. 20 at Butler

Wed. 23 Xavier

Sat. 26 Creighton

MARCH

Tue. 1 at Villanova