Providence to Scrimmage Harvard

Kevin McNamara of The Providence Journal reported on Twitter that the Friars will scrimmage Harvard for the third straight season in lieu of a second exhibition game.

Providence Bkb to face Top 25 Harvard for 3rd year in a row in closed scrimmage. Too bad press not allowed to tell fans what happens

— Kevin McNamara (@KevinMcNamara33) October 13, 2014

These scrimmages between Division 1 teams are closed to the public and the media, per NCAA rule. Here is that rule:

17.5.3.1 Exceptions.

The following basketball contests (games or scrimmages) are permitted prior to the first contest dates specified under Bylaw 17.5.3:

(a) Practice Scrimmages. Informal practice scrimmages with outside competition, provided they are conducted in privacy without publicity or official scoring. Individuals other than athletics department staff members and those necessary to conduct a basketball practice scrimmage against outside competition may not be present during such a scrimmage. The institution shall ensure that the scrimmage is free from public view; and (Revised: 10/27/98 effective 8/1/99, 5/12/05)

While the scrimmage’s statistics aren’t allowed to be kept except for private use, many statistics end up leaking out about these games. Last season there were reports that Kris Dunn looked great against Harvard – a borderline top 25 team at the time – and made fans even more devastated when he injured his shoulder later against Rhode Island College in the team’s exhibition contest.

To see Providence’s full 2014-15 schedule, click here.

About Author

Mike Hopkins

See author's posts