Idle Providence Friars move up to No. 21 in poll

Bill Koch, The Providence Journal
·3 min read

Missing three straight games due to a COVID-19 pause hasn’t hurt really the Providence College men's basketball team in the national polls.

The Friars are at No. 21 in both the Ferris Mowers Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll, powered by USA TODAY Sports (down from No. 20 a week ago), and up two spots to No. 21 in the latest Associated Press edition, which was released Monday morning.

It’s the fifth straight week among the elite for Providence, which debuted at No. 22 on Dec. 20. The Friars improved to 14-2 overall and 4-1 in the Big East thanks to an 83-73 win over St. John’s on Jan. 8. Providence has been idle since that Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Ed Cooley told WPRO on his Thursday radio show that the Friars had reported multiple positive tests for the virus ahead of their game at Creighton. They traveled back from Omaha without playing and saw subsequent matchups with Connecticut and Seton Hall postponed.

Thursday's game against Georgetown will mark the next date when Providence could make its return. The Hoyas are set to visit the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in a game that was already rescheduled due to their own COVID-19 pause. The Friars are also expected to host Butler on Sunday. Neither of those games is guaranteed to be played as scheduled.

Conference policy requires seven healthy scholarship players and at least one coach available to take the floor for a game. Cooley said Providence is willing to comply and has been conducting individual workouts for healthy players at its practice facility on campus.

PC head coach Ed Cooley watches as his Friars play Seton Hall during a game on Dec. 29. His team hasn't played since Jan. 8 because of COVID-19 protocols.
PC head coach Ed Cooley watches as his Friars play Seton Hall during a game on Dec. 29. His team hasn't played since Jan. 8 because of COVID-19 protocols.

The Friars remain one of four teams from their conference in the AP poll. Villanova moved up three spots to No. 11 while Xavier dropped three spots to No. 20. Connecticut is back off its own COVID-19 pause and returned to the poll at No. 25.

Davidson is third among teams outside the poll receiving votes, the lone representative from the Atlantic 10. Gonzaga and Auburn split the 61 first-place votes, but the Bulldogs took over the top spot entering the week. The Tigers wound up at No. 2 while Baylor slipped to No. 5 after suffering a pair of home defeats.

Rams' Makhel Mitchell honored

The University of Rhode Island captured both of its games last week, and Makhel Mitchell played a key role in each win.

Mitchell was named to the Atlantic 10 Honor Roll thanks to his efforts against Saint Joseph’s and Massachusetts. He averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots while the Rams dispatched the Hawks and Minutemen.

URI's Makhel Mitchel, seen here in action against Davidson on Jan. 8, averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots in two games last week and was named to the Atlantic 10 Honor Roll.
URI's Makhel Mitchel, seen here in action against Davidson on Jan. 8, averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots in two games last week and was named to the Atlantic 10 Honor Roll.

Mitchell shot 65.4% from the field, including 17-for-25 from 2-point range. URI is scheduled to host La Salle on Wednesday and will bid for a second three-game winning streak of the season.

URI's Elmore also honored

Dez Elmore powered the Rams women to a 2-0 start in Atlantic 10 play and earned a spot on the league’s Honor Roll.

Elmore averaged 14.0 points and 11.0 rebounds in victories over George Washington and George Mason. She also collected three steals and a pair of blocked shots.

URI entered Monday night’s conference showdown against Massachusetts with Elmore ranking second on the team in scoring, rebounding and free throws made. The Rams came into the week 12-3 overall and 2-0 in the league.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence College men's basketball moves up to 21 in AP Top 25 poll