Providence News, Ray Mernagh

MOUNT FRIAR

by RAY MERNAGH

Previously in our series of the Mt. Rushmore of Big East programs, we unveiled Mount Syracuse. Either we nailed it, or the masses of Syracuse fans were too busy celebrating their recruiting victory of Melo; part deux, as the story was published the same day that Fabricio de Melo committed to SU.

But, alas, we move on. Going over the history of Providence basketball I kept asking myself if anyone from the last 25 years would make the group of four that the list needs to be paired down to in order to accomplish this mission? After all, you’ve got the once-pudgy Billy Donovan leading a group of underdogs to the Final Four in 1986. Eric Murdock, a NBE Big East All-Time Top 50 member, followed Billy D up with an eye-popping career — 2,021 points — that included a senior year scoring average of 25.6 points per game, plus Ryan Gomes, another top 50 honoree, finishing his four years as the Friars all-time leading scorer with 2,138 points.

Three careers, two great individually, and one turning great his last 18 months at PC (Donovan) and culminating in a Cinderella dash that set Rick Pitino’s coaching career into the stratosphere. But you know what? None of them makes the cut to have their face on Mount Friar because the one’s that came before them were so incredible. So lets take a look at the four faces that best represent greatness in Providence basketball history.

Remember, send your impressions to: bigeastrushmore@gmail.com

Lenny Wilkens 1957-60: This was the name I thought about leaving off for one of those mentioned above but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Wilkens led PC to their first NIT in 1959 and then took them all the way to the NIT championship game in 1960. Wilkens was voted first team All-American twice. He was voted the MVP of the NIT in 1960 and went on to have a great playing career in the NBA as well as a distinguished coaching career. Wilkens was the first Friar player to have his number retired (#14) in 1996. Seeing how the NIT was the premier tournament at the time and Wilkens took his last two teams to the semifinals and finals, plus was named the MVP, I think you have to have him on this list. His presence started what was a stretch of really successful basketball at Providence.

Jimmy Walker 1964-67: Over his three year career the 6’3″ guard averaged 25.2 points a game and his senior year he put up 30.4 per contest (both still PC records). Walker also led his team in assists every year at Providence at right around 5 per game for his career. He accounted for 32.3% of his team’s offense over that three-year span and 39.2% in his senior season. He left PC as the all-time leading scorer with 2,045 points. Passed away from lung cancer and was the biological father of Jalen Rose.

Marvin Barnes 1971-74: 6’8″ center was Bad News for opponents during his time in Providence. The numbers are sick: 1839 points and 1592 rebounds (still the all-time leader), averaged 19 rebounds a game for the entire 72-73 season and 17.9 for his career! Barnes had 20 or more rebounds in a game 29 different times!! He also went down with a knee injury in the first half of a national semifinal game that the Friars (with little depth) would lose to Memphis, erasing a possible rematch with UCLA, who with Bill Walton had beaten PC in LA earlier in the season, that everyone was craving.

Ernie DiGregorio 1970-73: Three time team MVP finished career with 1,760 points and 664 assists. Sixty-foot behind the back passes to Kevin Stacom (another guy that could be on this list) and Marvin Barnes in stride were easy for Ernie D. Local kid from North Providence. Became the Rookie of the Year in the NBA before injuries cut things short. Bob McAdoo called him the best passer he ever saw and ever played with. Remembered by more than one person that I respect as maybe the greatest college player they ever saw.

Thoughts? Let’s hear them at bigeastrushmore@gmail.com.

For other recent Providence stories this summer, be sure to check out the following from NBE:

- NBE Staff Support Series: Cary Collins, Providence
- Providence Summer Report
- Big East Recruiting Report: Providence

Be Sociable, Share!

•