As first reported by Mike Hopkins of pcbb1917.com, the Providence Friars and Texas Longhorns have finalized a home-and-home series to be played over the next two seasons.  For this upcoming season, the Friars will travel to Texas to take on the Shaka Smart led Longhorns on December 21st.

Texas will return to Rhode Island for a rematch between the two teams in the following 2019-2020 season at a date to be named later.  With Texas added to the schedule, the Friars have added yet another marquee team name to their non-conference schedule that includes Wichita State, URI, South Carolina, and potentially Michigan if the cards fall right in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off.

Both the Friars and Texas lost in the First Round (Round of 64) of the NCAA Tournament last season.  The Friars fell to Texas A&M, while the Longhorns blew a late lead to Nevada, only to be put away in Overtime.

The last time these two teams met, I was in attendance for one of the best games I’ve ever seen at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.  I traveled back to campus during winter break to catch the game.  With both teams ranked (PC #25, Texas #18), the Friars climbed all the way back after starting the game losing 28-6 to send the game into overtime against former Friar Coach Rick Barnes.  P.J. Tucker infamously went the length of the floor and connected on a floater that was reviewed for an eternity.  In the end, the clock and the light were not synchronized and the call as to whether a shot was released in time goes by the light.  So that game was certainly a kick in the nuts.

I wish there was just highlights of the game, but the only thing I can find is the whole broadcast from always great, FriarTV.