GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The #8 ranked University of Providence men's basketball team opens conference play tonight with a home matchup against Rocky Mountain College.
The Argos (6-0) are undefeated so far on the season. The Argos are currently 2nd in the nation in assists per game (22.3), steals per game (13.5) and free throw percentage (78.8%). They're 3rd in the nation in 3 point field goal percentage (44.2%) and assist to turnover ratio (1.5) and 4th in the nation in scoring offense (101.7 ppg) and turnover margin (7.3). They're also 6th in the nation in field goal percentage with 52.8 %.
A hot start isn't always the case for a team that added several new pieces, head coach
Steve Keller said.
"We had a great preseason," he said. "We got a lot of new guys so we worked to fit them in. We had a few struggles but we found ways to win some close games that we maybe could have lost which was good. We're ready to jump into conference."
The Argos are led by
Zaccheus Darko-Kelly, who is averaging 23.2 ppg, and
Brandon Cotton, who is averaging 15.3 ppg.
The new additions will get their first welcome to the Frontier Conference against the Battlin' Bears, who are coming off a win over NCAA Division II Montana State – Billings.
"Rocky is well-coached," Keller said. "They're always in the top of our league. They're always good. We know each other very well. It's going to be a great game."
On Saturday, the Argos will travel to Montana Western, in a game against Keller's previous school.
"Western improved a lot since last year. They lost a great kid in Kooper Kidgell so that hurts them a little bit. They got some athletes. They got some shot makers. They're more athletic too. It's going to be two tough games this weekend."
Despite the strong start, which has resulted in the highest national ranking in school history, Keller knows how tough conference play. But he believes his team will respond to the challenges.
"We talk to them about how tough our league is," he said. "We have to show up every night. We've been playing well so we're ready to get out there and prove it."
