Game Preview: Providence vs. New Hampshire — Friars Look To Bounce Back At The AMP
Providence returns home on Tuesday night looking to steady the ship after a hard-fought 97-88 loss at Colorado, a game in which the Friars showed plenty of firepower but couldn’t overcome the Buffaloes’ efficiency on the glass and in the paint. Now, the Friars welcome a familiar foe: the New Hampshire Wildcats, a program Providence has historically dominated. PC owns a 16-1 all-time record against UNH, including an 11-0 mark at home, with the lone loss coming nearly a century ago in 1930.
But for a Friars team still integrating 10 newcomers—and fresh off three high-possession shootouts—the meeting with UNH is less about history and more about re-establishing consistency on both ends of the floor.
Friars Look To Reassert Defensive Identity
Despite the loss in Boulder, Providence showcased one of its most promising defensive developments of the early season: the emergence of Oswin Erhunmwunse as a legitimate interior force. The sophomore big delivered a career-high seven blocks, the most by a Friar since Brice Kofane in 2011. Through four games, Erhunmwunse leads the BIG EAST with 18 blocks, and his presence gives Providence a dynamic element they lacked last season.
However, the Colorado loss also highlighted the challenges still in progress. PC was out-rebounded 24-16 in the first half and surrendered 10 second-chance points before halftime alone. Colorado shot 51.5% from the field and found answers whenever the Friars cut into the lead. Tuesday represents an ideal opportunity for Providence to impose itself early, especially against a UNH squad that historically struggles to match high-major size and athleticism.
Offense Remains Electric Behind Edwards and Sellers
One aspect that hasn’t wavered? Scoring.
Providence enters the matchup averaging 96.0 points per game, including three games cracking 100-plus. The backcourt duo of Jason Edwards and Jaylin Sellers continues to shine. Edwards, fresh off a 24-point performance at Colorado, leads the Friars with 19.3 points per game, ranking fourth in the BIG EAST. He has already posted two 24+ point outings and continues to look like one of the league’s elite bucket-getters. Sellers adds a strong secondary punch, scoring 15 points in Boulder and showcasing reliability at the stripe—he went 10-for-11 on Friday and has been one of the team’s steadiest scorers.
Freshman forward Stefan Vaaks, recently named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week, has been another major storyline. He added 11 points and hit a pair of threes against Colorado, continuing a strong early-season stretch from deep. Expect him to be a focal point in spacing the floor against the Wildcats.
Keys To The Matchup
1. Control the glass.
The Colorado loss stemmed largely from second-chance opportunities. Against UNH, Providence must clean up the defensive boards to prevent the Wildcats from extending possessions.
2. Maintain offensive balance.
With five players scoring in double figures on Friday, the Friars demonstrated impressive depth. If that continues, UNH will struggle to key in on just Edwards or Sellers.
3. Protect the paint.
With Erhunmwunse anchoring the rim, Providence has the tools to overwhelm smaller frontcourts. Limiting easy interior looks could allow the Friars to break the game open early.
What’s At Stake
Beyond improving to 3-2, Tuesday offers Providence a chance to reset at home and continue building chemistry with a roster full of fresh faces. The AMP has long been a fortress—Providence owns a 644-249 (.722) all-time record in the building—and the Friars will look to feed off that energy as they prepare for a difficult non-conference stretch.
With one of the nation's top-scoring teams, a defensive anchor emerging in the middle, and a backcourt that can score with anyone, Providence enters as the clear favorite. But after the track-meet games that have defined this season so far, the Friars will seek not just a win—but a complete performance.
Prediction: Providence 92, New Hampshire 72.