Jason Walker, UP Sports Information Director
Great Falls, Mont. - The Frontier Conference coaches picked the University of Providence men's basketball team to finish near the bottom of the league this year in the preseason poll released Tuesday by the league office. Providence finished in a tie for 5th with Rocky Mountain College, each receiving (8) points.
The Argos finished 11-18 overall, winning two of 15 Frontier games and lost Brendan Howard, Rashee Stocks, Dawson Fowler, and others who played big minutes. Returning this season is guard Marcus Stephens who averaged 20.4 points per game a year ago and will once again be relied on to score and facilitate. Also returning in 2022-2023 is Redshirt Junior Jake Olson. The Great Falls product averaged just over six points and six rebounds per night last season and will look to increase production this year. Joining the team after redshirting last year, is Sam Vining. Vining will suit up for his hometown university after starting his career at Rocky Mountain College. Providence head coach Steve Keller says the Frontier this season might have more parity than ever, "I feel like we are the unknown right now. That (the preseason poll) is definitely going up in our locker room and we will try to use that for motivation. We know how good that we can be. I really believe that when we get everybody playing on our team, at the same time, I think we will be in the mix."
Carroll College was picked to top the league with four first place votes and 24 total points, followed by Montana Tech receiving two first place votes and 22 points. In third place with 17 points is Montana Western with MSU-Northern receiving 11 points.
The Argos open the season at home hosting the Providence tournament October 27-29 playing SAIT and Portland Bible College. In addition to the strong Frontier Conference schedule, the Argos face a stiff non-conference schedule as well with games against LC State, Dickinson State, Arizona Christian, Menlo College, Eastern Oregon and at the College of Idaho.
Full Preseason Poll: Carroll College Men Picked to Win Frontier Conference 2022-23 Basketball Title - Frontier Conference
