Friars Gear Up for Marquee Matchups in Big East Play

The Providence women's basketball team is set to face off against some of the top programs in the Big East this season, including a pair of highly anticipated showdowns with national powerhouse Connecticut. As the Friars embark on their 2024-25 campaign, they'll have the opportunity to showcase their talents on the big stage, taking their on-campus games to the bright lights of Hartford and downtown Providence.

Primed for Primetime Performances

Clash with the Huskies

The Friars will make the short trip to Hartford on December 29th to take on the UConn Huskies at the XL Center, marking their second conference game of the season. This matchup will be a true test for Providence, as the Huskies have won 11 national titles in the last 30 years and boast a Player of the Year candidate in guard Paige Bueckers. The Friars will look to avenge their 86-53 loss to UConn in last season's conference tournament quarterfinals.The return match between the two teams will take place on February 9th at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence, where the Friars will leave their home court at Alumni Hall for one night. This highly anticipated rematch will give the Friars a chance to showcase their skills in front of their home crowd and potentially pull off an upset against the perennial powerhouse.

Navigating the Big East Gauntlet

The Friars' Big East schedule is packed with challenges, as they'll face off against several other top contenders in the conference. After their league opener at Seton Hall on December 21st, the Friars will return home to take on St. John's on New Year's Day, kicking off a stretch where they'll play five of seven games at home.During this homestand, the Friars will host Xavier, Georgetown, and Marquette, all of whom finished with winning records in the Big East last season. The Golden Eagles, in particular, will be a formidable opponent, as they finished tied for third in the conference with an 11-7 record.As the season winds down, the Friars will face a tough road-heavy stretch, with three of their final five games away from home, including a March 1st finale at Georgetown. This challenging schedule will test the Friars' resilience and prepare them for the Big East Tournament, where they'll look to improve on their 8-9 finish from last season.

Experienced Roster Primed for Success

The Friars are coming off a 13-21 overall and 6-12 conference record in their debut season under coach Erin Batth, but they've reloaded with a veteran-laden roster that should be poised for a breakout campaign. Among the returners are graduate students and seniors Kylee Sheppard, Grace Efosa, Nariah Scott, Marta Morales Romero, Brynn Farrell, Sarah Bandoma, Audrey Koch, Olivia Olsen, and Emily Archibald.With this experienced core, the Friars will look to make a statement in the Big East and potentially earn a spot in the postseason, whether that's through the conference tournament or a bid to the WNIT. The team's depth and veteran leadership should give them a solid foundation to compete with the top teams in the league.As the Friars gear up for their marquee matchups and the rigors of the Big East schedule, fans can look forward to a season filled with high-stakes battles and the potential for a breakthrough performance from this talented and experienced squad.