Atlantic 10 Basketball: Top-5 non-conference matchups for 2018-19

5 of 6

DAYTON, OH – MARCH 15: Kalif Young #13 of the Providence Friars celebrates with Rodney Bullock #5 in the first half against the USC Trojans during the First Four game in the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 15, 2017 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

UMass at Providence

When: Friday, December 7

Last season, UMass out-hustled and out-spirited a more talented Providence team and left the Mullins Center with a decisive 72-63 victory. Watching that game, one probably wouldn’t envision UMass finishing 13-20 and Providence advancing to the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. It was a game that the Friars should have won, and one that they’d love to have back if they could. That’s why when UMass visits Providence this season, the Friars will be looking to make a statement and to make sure that the Minutemen don’t get any false ideas about the hierarchy of New England college hoops.

On top of the Friars’ anger about the most recent result, another reason this game is a must-watch is the new and improved identity of UMass. This squad won’t look anything like the one that went 13-20. Luwane Pipkins (30 points in the victory) and Carl Pierre will be back, along with a band of seven highly-touted recruits and transfers.

Providence will still be the better team on paper, but if they expect to roll, they’re in for a rude awakening. We should see the best of both teams show up for this one. Just as Providence would hate to lose consecutive games to UMass, UMass would love nothing more than to win them. It will be a statement game between two good teams that have no love for each other. At the end of the day, what else do we watch the sport for?

Home/Atlantic 10