Providence faces tough Big East schedule under new coach Bryan Hodgson

Providence's Big East men's basketball schedule starts with challenging matchups under new head coach Bryan Hodgson. The Friars kick off their league play on December 12 against Butler and face tough opponents including Villanova and Connecticut in their first eight games. Hodgson, transitioning from South Florida, hopes to improve on last season's 15-18 record. The Friars' December 30 matchup against St. John's is notable, given last year's heated encounters. The season includes a mix of home and away games, with the team aiming to establish its competitiveness in the conference.

• 3:01 PMYahoo Sports — Providence's Big East schedule is no easy start for new coach Hodgson