page_title: Providence Friars men's basketball
section_title: Chiesa, Barnes, Gillen: 1987–1998
hierarchical_section_title: Providence Friars men's basketball / History / Chiesa, Barnes, Gillen: 1987–1998
caption_attribution_description: Wesley Skies
context_page_description: The Providence Friars mens basketball team represents Providence College in NCAA Division I competition, and they are a founding member of the Big East Conference. They play their home games at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Since 2011, the head coach is Ed Cooley.
  The Friars have made two Final Four appearances in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, in 1973 and 1987. Four former players or coaches—Dave Gavitt, John Thompson, Rick Pitino, and Lenny Wilkens—are enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In addition, two-time NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament champion, current Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Billy Donovan, helped lead the Friars to the Final Four in 1987.
context_section_description: In 1987–88, the Friars posted a losing record under new head coach Gordie Chiesa, who was replaced by Rick Barnes after the season. Behind Barnes and 2,000-point scorer Eric Murdock, the Friars made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 1989 and 1990, as well as an NIT bid in 1991. Following Murdock's departure and a losing season in 1991–92, the team had an NIT semifinal appearance in 1993 and an NCAA tournament appearance in 1994, while also capturing the school's first Big East Tournament title. Following back-to-back 20-win seasons, Barnes left to become the head coach at Clemson in 1994. He was replaced by Pete Gillen. Led by Eric Williams, the Friars made consecutive NIT appearances in 1995 and 1996. In 1996–97, the Friars posted a 24–12 record, led by Austin Croshere and Jamel Thomas. After defeating Duke in the 1997 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, the Friars reached the Elite Eight before losing, in overtime, to eventual champion Arizona. Following a losing season in 1997–98, Gillen departed to become the head coach at Virginia.
caption: Syracuse vs. Providence game in February 2010 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
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