Ellen Ozier / Reuters

Kentucky's Darrius Miller fights with North Carolina's Bobby Frasor for a rebound last season.

Q: Hey, don't you think that Providence College under second year coach Keno Davis will outperform expectations this year?
 
— Mike Donohue, North Kingstown, R.I.

A: That’s a great question Mike. I wish I could tell you exactly what to expect but with so many new faces in Providence, it really is a mystery. I can tell from your enthusiasm that you are a Good Friar, the kind of guy who pulls for his team whether Dave Gavitt or Gordie Chiesa is coaching. You’ve probably had season tickets for years and enjoy a good cup of coffee as you settle into your seat at The Dunk. If you close your eyes, you can probably see Marvin Barnes or Ernie D or Billy Donovan trotting onto the court wearing the black and white. And then you open your eyes ...

Keno Davis is a good coach. He works hard, he’s smart on the bench and he seems to have a good vision for the Providence program. It’s a tough job, especially now that there are 16 teams in the Big East. Once you get stuck in the middle of the pack, it becomes very difficult to make any progress in that conference. The Friars aren’t alone.

Davis has a lot to replace up front and the Friars will play small. When Sharaud Curry is healthy, he can be one of the conference's most exciting players. And Marshon Brooks definitely knows how to score. If the Friars could work their way into the NIT, that would be quite an accomplishment. I’m not sure that will happen, Mike. But as you prepare the poultry of your choice this holiday, be thankful for Coach Davis (and for that matter any other Davis you might know) and hope for the best.

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A: I think you are headed in the right direction Lonnie. The word on Kyrie Irving is that he is best “pure” point guard Duke has pursued and signed since Jason Williams. That type of leadership has been missing in Durham and Coach K is looking for that player who can deliver the ball and provide leadership.

One recruiting source has even made comparisons to Stephen Curry. If that’s true, watch out for the Blue Devils next season. Seton Hall fans must be bummed Irving slipped out of the neighborhood and headed to Tobacco Road.

I think Irving is going to be a special player for Duke.

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