Providence basketball will host New England foe ahead of its season opener. Who is it?

Providence has tabbed a regional opponent for a men’s basketball exhibition before the 2024-25 season begins.

The Friars will host Massachusetts in an Oct. 26 game at Amica Mutual Pavilion. That comes just nine days before Providence opens its second campaign under coach Kim English.

The Minutemen visit for a 4 p.m. tip on a Saturday. Proceeds will benefit a pair of organizations — the Rhode Island Free Clinic and Baystate Children’s Hospital. The Friars hold a 25-9 all-time lead in a series that dates back to March 1932.

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Providence hosts Central Connecticut on Nov. 4 and will likely use the matchup with UMass as a dress rehearsal. The Friars are coming off a 21-14 season and an NIT berth in English’s debut, one that included a season-ending knee injury for Bryce Hopkins and a rise to stardom for Devin Carter. Wesley Cardet Jr., Christ Essandoko, Jabri Abdur-Rahim, Justyn Fernandez, Anton Bonke, Bensley Joseph, Ryan Mela, Eli DeLaurier and Oswin Erhunmwunse could all make their first appearances with Providence against the Minutemen.

UMass finished 20-11 in its second season under Frank Martin in 2023-24, losing to VCU in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament and missing the postseason. The Minutemen didn’t beat a top-70 opponent, according to KenPom.com, and haven’t reached March Madness since 2013-14. That’s the lone appearance for UMass since Bruiser Flint earned a second straight NCAA Tournament bid in 1997-98.

The Friars and Minutemen played for six straight years, from 2012-13 to 2018-19, and the last meeting was a painful one for Providence. Ed Cooley’s team blew a 20-point lead in a 79-78 home loss, melting down over the course of the second half. Alpha Diallo led with 21 points while Nate Watson chipped in 14 off the bench.

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The Friars reached the NIT that season and wound up catching a glimpse of a future starting guard. Luwane Pipkins topped all scorers with 26 points and transferred to Providence for the following season. Pipkins emerged as a factor down the stretch, with the Friars capturing eight of their last 10 games before COVID-19 scuttled both the Big East and NCAA tournaments.

Game tickets went on sale on Monday and cost $15 for Providence season-ticket holders and wait-list members. Tickets cost $25 for nonseason-ticket holders. Student tickets will go on sale Oct. 21 and cost $5.

Visit friars.com for more information.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Providence basketball to host UMass Minutemen in preseason game