There's a strong mix of opportunity and jeopardy for the 2019-20 Providence Friars, as the team announced its non-conference schedule Thursday afternoon.
Opportunity features games with name programs, expected to be contenders nationally and within their own leagues, coming from Florida, Texas, Northwestern and potentially with Wake Forest and Arizona.
The Friars will play the Gators at a neutral site venue on December 17th, expected to be Madison Square Garden or perhaps the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Florida will be a Top 25 contender and challenge for the SEC title next season. Texas will be the marquee home game on the slate, for Saturday, Dec. 21st at the Dunkin Donuts Center as part of the Big East/Big 12 Challenge series, and the Longhorns will also be a strong Big 12 contender.
Road games will feature Providence playing at Northwestern in the Gavitt Games November 13th, the Friars' first-ever meeting with the Wildcats on their home floor. Providence will also play at Rhode Island on a Friday night, Dec. 6th, and participate in the Wooden Legacy in Anaheim, CA Nov. 28th through Dec. 1st. Potential opponents there include Wake Forest from the ACC, Arizona of the Pac-12, and UCF from the American Athletic Conference – an NCAA Tournament team from last season.
The season and home opener is set for Tuesday, November 5th with Providence hosting Sacred Heart at the Dunk. Tip times and television coverage will be announced later, with the entire schedule (featuring Big East games) announced in early September.
2019-20 Providence Non-Conference schedule
NOVEMBER
5 Tue. SACRED HEART
9 Sat. NJIT
13 Wed. at Northwestern (Gavitt Games)
16 Sat. SAINT PETER'S
19 Tue. MERRIMACK
23 Sat. PENNSYLVANIA
28 Thur. Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
29 Fri. Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
DECEMBER
1 Sun. Wooden Legacy (Anaheim, Calif.)
6 Fri. at Rhode Island
14 Sat. STONY BROOK
17 Tue. vs. Florida
21 Sat. TEXAS
Home games at the Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence in BOLD
