2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball team

2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball
NCAA, #5, Midwest Region, First Round
Conference Big East Conference (1979–2013)
Ranking
AP #21
2003–04 record 209 (115 Big East)
Head coach Tim Welsh
Assistant coach Steve DeMeo
Assistant coach Phil Seymore
Assistant coach Bob Walsh
MVP Ryan Gomes
Captain Ryan Gomes
Home arena Dunkin' Donuts Center
2003–04 Big East men's basketball standings
Conf     Overall
Team W   L   PCT     W   L   PCT
#9 Pittsburgh 13 3   .813     31 5   .861
#7 Connecticut 12 4   .750     33 6   .846
#21 Providence 11 5   .688     20 9   .690
#20 Syracuse 11 5   .688     23 8   .742
#25 Boston College 10 6   .625     24 10   .706
Seton Hall 10 6   .625     21 12   .636
Notre Dame 9 7   .563     19 13   .594
Virginia Tech 7 9   .438     15 14   .517
Rutgers 7 9   .438     20 13   .606
West Virginia 7 9   .438     17 14   .548
Villanova 6 10   .375     18 17   .514
Georgetown 4 12   .250     13 15   .464
Miami* 4 12   .250     14 16   .467
St. John's* 1 15   .063     6 21   .222
2004 Big East Tournament winner
As of April 5, 2004[1]; Rankings from AP Poll
*Did not qualify for 2004 Big East Tournament

The 2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball team represented Providence College in the Big East Conference. The team finished with an 11–5 conference record and a 20–9 record overall.

Coming off an 18–14 record and a second-round NIT loss in 2002–03, the team returned all five starters for coach Tim Welsh's sixth season with the Friars. However, forward Romuald Augustin transferred to Bryant College for his fifth year of eligibility,[2] while walk-on guard Chris Burns also transferred to Bryant for his sophomore season.[3] The team also lost two departing seniors, guard Kareem Hayletts and forward Stephen Traugott. On February 24, after playing in 12 games for the Friars, senior forward Māris Ļaksa left the team to play professional basketball in Slovenia.[4]

The Friars began the season receiving votes in both polls, but not ranked in either. Following an 8–1 start that included a win over #14 Illinois, the Friars earned a #25 ranking in the AP Poll in time for their January 5 matchup with #18 Texas. The Friars took the Longhorns to overtime, but as time expired in the overtime period, Texas forward P. J. Tucker released a layup to give the Longhorns a two-point win. The controversial shot was reviewed for more than five minutes by the officials, who determined that the clock read "0.00" but the red backboard light had not yet gone off when the ball was released, which at the time overruled the clock.[5]

Despite the close loss, the Friars re-emerged in the top 25 three weeks later, following a road win over #4 Connecticut. A six-game winning streak that began with a win over #18 Syracuse propelled the Friars to a #12 ranking in the AP Poll on March 1. This was followed by two home losses to close out the regular season, and a #3 seed in the 2004 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament. Following a first-round bye, the Friars dropped a three-point game to Villanova in the quarterfinals, leading to a #5 seed in the NCAA Tournament. In the first round, the Friars were defeated 66–58 by the #12 seed, Pacific. The Friars ended the season with a #21 ranking in the AP Poll.

The Friars were led in scoring (18.9 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg) by junior forward Ryan Gomes. He became the fourth Friar to be named a First Team All-American by the Associated Press.

Roster

2003–04 Providence Friars men's basketball team
Players Coaches
Pos. # Name Height Weight Year High School/Junior College Home town
G 1 McGrath, DonnieDonnie McGrath style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 190 lb (86 kg) So John F. Kennedy Catholic High School Katonah, New York
F/C 3 Gomes, RyanRyan Gomes (C) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 245 lb (111 kg) Jr Wilby High School Waterbury, Connecticut
C 4 Douthit, MarcusMarcus Douthit style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 235 lb (107 kg) Sr Notre Dame Prep Syracuse, New York
G 5 Brown, GeraldGerald Brown style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 190 lb (86 kg) Fr Hargrave Military Academy Baltimore, Maryland
F 10 Van De Walle, SeanSean Van De Walle (W) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 205 lb (93 kg) Fr Fenwick High School Elmhurst, Illinois
G 11 Mills, AbdulAbdul Mills  style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 195 lb (88 kg) RS Sr Milford Academy Brooklyn, New York
G 13 Kabba, SheikuSheiku Kabba style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 200 lb (91 kg) Sr Bronx Regional High School Bronx, New York
F 15 Hill, HerbertHerbert Hill style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 220 lb (100 kg) RS Fr Kinston High School Kinston, North Carolina
F 20 Anrin, ChrisChris Anrin style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 220 lb (100 kg) Sr 08 Stockholm Human Rights Värmdö Municipality, Sweden
F 21 Parmer, JeffJeff Parmer  style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 230 lb (104 kg) Fr Niagara Falls High School Niagara Falls, New York
F 22 Ļaksa, MārisMāris Ļaksa style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 230 lb (104 kg) Sr Latvian Junior National Team Ventspils, Latvia
G 24 Brewington, DwightDwight Brewington style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 195 lb (88 kg) Fr Worcester Academy Lynn, Massachusetts
F 25 Kotti, TuukkaTuukka Kotti style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 220 lb (100 kg) Jr Salon Vilpas Salo Forssa, Finland
G 31 Englert, TimothyTimothy Englert (W) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 165 lb (75 kg) So Bergen Catholic High School Ramsey, New Jersey
F 35 Sanders, RobRob Sanders style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) style="text-align:right; white-space:nowrap; font-size:90%; | 215 lb (98 kg) Jr St. Thomas More School New London, Connecticut
Head coach

Tim Welsh

Assistant coach(es)

Steve DeMeo
Phil Seymore
Bob Walsh


Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: 2010-02-07

Depth chart

Pos. Starting 5 Bench 1 Bench 2 Bench 3
C Marcus Douthit (Māris Ļaksa) Herbert Hill
PF Ryan Gomes Tuukka Kotti Jeff Parmer
SF Rob Sanders Chris Anrin Sean Van De Walle (W)
SG Sheiku Kabba Gerald Brown Abdul Mills
PG Donnie McGrath Dwight Brewington Timothy Englert (W)

Incoming recruits

Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Dwight Brewington
PG
Lynn, MA Worcester Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 187 lb (85 kg) Jul 8, 2003 
Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Gerald Brown
SG
Baltimore, MD Hargrave Military Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Jul 8, 2003 
Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Jeff Parmer
PF
Niagara Falls, NY Niagara Falls HS 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Jul 8, 2003 
Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

Schedule

Date Rank# Opponent# Result Record Site (Attendance)
Exhibition games
November 2* Global Sports All-Stars W 7763  Dunkin' Donuts Center (5,260)
November 15* USDBL/320 All-Stars L 109112 OT Dunkin' Donuts Center (5,173)
Non-conference games
November 22* Hofstra W 6956  10 Dunkin' Donuts Center (8,163)
November 29* Alabama W 7671  20 Dunkin' Donuts Center (9,256)
December 2* South Florida W 8460  30 Dunkin' Donuts Center (7,554)
December 6* at Rhode Island L 7989  31 Ryan Center (7,657)
December 9* vs. #14 Illinois
(Jimmy V Classic)
W 7051  41 Madison Square Garden (7,665)
December 21* Central Connecticut W 7267  51 Dunkin' Donuts Center (7,543)
December 23* at Richmond W 5756  61 Robins Center (6,043)
December 28* Siena W 7366  71 Dunkin' Donuts Center (7,434)
January 3* at Virginia W 8469  81 University Hall (7,470)
January 5* #25 #18 Texas L 7779 OT 82 Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,993)
Big East regular season
January 10 #25 at Rutgers L 6465  83 (01) Louis Brown Athletic Center (6,942)
January 12 at Seton Hall W 6360  93 (11) Continental Airlines Arena (7,737)
January 17 West Virginia W 8766  103 (21) Dunkin' Donuts Center (10,033)
January 19* Loyola Chicago W 8959  113 (21) Dunkin' Donuts Center (6,943)
January 21 Villanova W 6256  123 (31) Dunkin' Donuts Center (8,972)
January 24 at #4 Connecticut W 6656  133 (41) Hartford Civic Center (16,294)
January 26 #23 Georgetown W 6650  143 (51) Dunkin' Donuts Center (10,397)
February 1 #23 Seton Hall L 4655  144 (52) Dunkin' Donuts Center (10,191)
February 4 #23 at Virginia Tech L 5769  145 (53) Cassell Coliseum (6,323)
February 7 #23 #18 Syracuse W 7461  155 (63) Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,993)
February 11 #24 at Villanova W 10074  165 (73) The Pavilion (6,500)
February 14 #24 at Boston College W 6152  175 (83) Conte Forum (7,682)
February 21 #19 Miami W 7057  185 (93) Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,993)
February 24 #13 at Notre Dame W 7359  195 (103) Edmund P. Joyce Center (11,418)
February 29 #13 at St. John's W 10378  205 (113) Madison Square Garden (N/A)
March 2 #12 #6 Pittsburgh L 6188  206 (114) Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,993)
March 6 #12 Boston College L 5463  207 (115) Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,993)
Big East Tournament
March 11 #20 vs. Villanova
(Quarterfinals)
L 6669  208 (115) Madison Square Garden (19,528)
NCAA Tournament
March 19* #5-M vs. #12-M Pacific
(First Round)
L 5866  209 (115) Kemper Arena (17,500)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll.  †NCAA Tournament ranks are seeds in the region (E=East, M=Midwest, S=South, W=West). ( ) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
All times are in Eastern Time [6].

Rankings

Ranking Movement
Legend: ██ Improvement in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
Poll Pre Wk 1 Wk 2 Wk 3 Wk 4 Wk 5 Wk 6 Wk 7 Wk 8 Wk 9 Wk 10 Wk 11 Wk 12 Wk 13 Wk 14 Wk 15 Wk 16 WK 17 Final
AP RV RV RV RV RV RV 25 RV RV 23 23 24 19 13 12 20 21 n/a
Coaches RV RV RV RV RV RV RV 24 23 21 17 13 13 17 19 RV

Awards and honors

Recipient Award(s)
Chris Anrin 2004 John Zannini Coaches' Award[7]
2004 Thomas Ramos Academic Award[7]
Dwight Brewington 2004 Promising Prospect Award[7]
Marcus Douthit 2004 Marvin Barnes Defensive Player of the Year Award[7]
Ryan Gomes 2004 Associated Press First Team All-American[8]
2004 USBWA First Team All-American[9]
2004 NABC Second Team All-American[9]
2004 All-Big East First Team[10]
2004 USBWA All-District 1 First Team[9]
2004 NABC Division I All-District 1 First Team[9]
2004 Naismith College Player of the Year Finalist[9]
2004 Jimmy Walker Most Valuable Player Award[7]
March 1: Big East Co-Player of the Week[11]
January 26: Big East Player of the Week[12]
January 5: Big East Co-Player of the Week[13]
December 15: Big East Co-Player of the Week[14]
2004 John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 30 Candidate[9]
2004 Preseason All-Big East First Team[9]
2004 John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Candidate[9]
Sheiku Kabba 2004 Co-Unsung Hero Award[7]
Tuukka Kotti 2004 Co-Unsung Hero Award[7]
Donnie McGrath 2004 Coca-Cola Most Improved Player Award[7]

References

  1. " sports-reference.com. Retrieved 11-16-2013.
  2. O'Brien, Kevin (2004-09-23). "Mills transfers to University of Omaha-Nebraska". The Cowl. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  3. "Burns Makes Good On Comeback (Post Tourney Notes)". Bryant College. 2004-12-30. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  4. "Maris Laksa Leaves Providence Men's Basketball Team To Pursue Professional Career". Friars.com. 2004-02-24. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  5. "Officials have to check replay on shot". Associated Press. ESPN.com. 2004-01-05. Retrieved 2010-02-07.
  6. Schedule Friars.com. Retrieved on October 29, 2009.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 "2004 Providence Men's Basketball Team Awards Announced". Friars.com. 2004-04-14. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  8. "Ryan Gomes Named Associated Press First Team All-America". Friars.com. 2004-03-24. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 9.7 "Player Bio: Ryan Gomes". Friars.com. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
  10. "Ryan Gomes Named First Team All-BIG EAST". Friars.com. 2004-03-08. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  11. "Ryan Gomes Named BIG EAST Co-Player Of The Week On March 1". Friars.com. 2004-03-01. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  12. "Ryan Gomes Named BIG EAST Men's Basketball Player Of The Week". Friars.com. 2004-01-26. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  13. "Ryan Gomes Named BIG EAST Men's Basketball Co-Player Of The Week On January 5". Friars.com. 2004-01-05. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  14. "Ryan Gomes Named BIG EAST Men's Basketball Co-Player Of The Week". Friars.com. 2003-12-15. Retrieved 2010-02-15.

External links