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How has Providence basketball fared in the NCAA tournament? Here's PC's top-5 performances

bill corey and mark daniels, the providence journal
·4 min read

Last season the Friars made their deepest run in the NCAA Tournament in 25 years when they arrived at the Big Dance as a No. 4 seed and got past the first two rounds. The Friars defeated No. 13 South Dakota State and then ran over Richmond, 79-51, before their magical journey ended against top-seed Kansas in Chicago.

On Sunday night, Providence learned that it will be a No. 11 seed in the East Region, with a first-round matchup on Friday with No. 6 Kentucky in Greensboro, N.C.

How long will this season's March Madness last? We're all anxious to find out. But first, let's take a look at the Friars’ top-five NCAA Tournament runs, prior to this season:

Coach Rick Pitino celebrates a Providence win in the 1987 NCAA Tournament. Their run ended in the Final Four, where the Friars fell to Syracuse, 77-63.
Coach Rick Pitino celebrates a Providence win in the 1987 NCAA Tournament. Their run ended in the Final Four, where the Friars fell to Syracuse, 77-63.

1. 1987 NCAA Tournament - Final Four

The Friars had their most successful tournament run during the 1986-1987 season. Under coach Rick Pitino, the Friars entered March Madness as the No. 6 seed in the Southeast Region. Providence ran through the bracket, collecting a school-record four tournament wins. First, the Friars knocked off UAB, then Austin Peay, in the first two rounds. The Friars upset second-seeded Alabama in the Sweet 16, and then top-seeded Georgetown, 88-73, in the Elite Eight. Their Cinderella run ended in the Final Four, where Providence lost to Syracuse, the second seed, 77-63.

Coach: Rick Pitino

Record: 25-9 (10-6 Big East)

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2. 1973 NCAA Tournament - Elite Eight

Providence made its first deep run in the tournament during the 1972-73 season. They finished that year with a 27-4 record and was No. 4 in the nation in the AP Poll. The team had three future NBA players on their roster — Marvin Barnes, Ernie DiGregorio and Kevin Stacom. In the tournament, the Friars beat Saint Joseph’s and Pennsylvania in the first two rounds. Next, they beat Maryland, 103-89, in the Elite Eight. The Friars' run ended in the Final Four where they lost to Memphis, 98-85. They went on to lose to Indiana in the national third-place game.

Coach: Dave Gavitt

Record: 27-4

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3. 1997 NCAA Tournament - Elite Eight

The Friars entered the 1997 tournament as a 10th seed in the Southeast Region. They turned into one of the best underdog stories that March. This group had four future NBA players on their roster — Austin Croshere, God Shammgod, Jamel Thomas and Ruben Garces. The Friars broke the bracket by upsetting seventh-seeded Marquette and second-seeded Duke. In the Sweet 16, Providence defeated Chattanooga, 71-65. The Friars then lost to No. 4 Arizona in a 96-92 heartbreaker in overtime in the Elite Eight.

Coach: Pete Gillen

Record: 24-12 (10-8 Big East)

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The 1965 Providence College team was coached by Joe Mulaney, center. From left, Jimmy Walker, Mike Riordan, Bob Kovalski, Bill Blair, Bill Lasher and Jim Benedict.
The 1965 Providence College team was coached by Joe Mulaney, center. From left, Jimmy Walker, Mike Riordan, Bob Kovalski, Bill Blair, Bill Lasher and Jim Benedict.

4. 1965 NCAA Tournament - Elite Eight

The 1964-65 Friars are one of the most successful teams in school history. They finished that season with a 24-2 record and were ranked No. 4 in the final AP Poll. Providence had two future NBA players on the roster in Jimmy Walker and Mike Riordan. The team kicked things off by blowing out West Virginia, 91-67, in the first round. Back then, that put them in the Sweet 16 where the Friars prevailed over Saint Joseph's, winning 81-73. The run came to an end in the Elite Eight when they lost, 109-69, to Princeton.

Coach: Joe Mullaney

Record: 24-2

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Mar 25, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Providence Friars guard A.J. Reeves (11) drives past Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half in the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the men's college basketball NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2022; Chicago, IL, USA; Providence Friars guard A.J. Reeves (11) drives past Kansas Jayhawks forward Jalen Wilson (10) during the first half in the semifinals of the Midwest regional of the men's college basketball NCAA Tournament at United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

5. 2022 NCAA Tournament - Sweet 16

The Friars found themselves playing during the tournament's second weekend for the first time in 25 years. The 2021-22 campaign was a magical season for Providence. The Friars spend most of the season among the nation's elite — ranked inside the AP and the Coaches To 25 polls — and compiled a 14-3 conference mark to win the program's first Big East regular-season championship. As a No. 4 seed, the Friars handled No. 13 South Dakota State (66-57), and No. 12 Richmond (79-51) before a showdown with No. 1 Kansas. Providence lost, 66-61, to the Jaykawks, who went on to win their fourth national championship.

Coach: Ed Cooley

Record: 27-6

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Here's how Providence basketball has done in the NCAA historically