Nov. 4, 1999

Providence, R.I. - The "new look" Providence College basketball team takes to the Providence Civic Center floor for the first time this season on Thursday night as the Upstate New York All-Stars provide the opposition in the Friars' first preseason test of the season. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

PC Head Coach Tim Welsh will get his first chance to see his Friars in game action with the season opener just 16 days away against Holy Cross.

Welsh and his staff will get a chance to see seven of their new players in action against the All-Stars. Junior college transfers David Murray, Chris Rogers and Donta Wade are expected to play as are freshmen, Romuald Augustin, Mark Jarrell-Wright, Marcus Jefferson and Abdul Mills. Wade missed the first 2-1/2 weeks of practice with a stress fracture, but has returned to practice.

PC fans will have to wait until December 21st before Karim Shabazz will be available. The 7-2, 230-pound big man who transferred from Florida State will become eligible for the Friars game against Central Connecticut.

The Friars will also be without the services of junior guard John Linehan who will be sidelined after having surgery on October 25th for a torn groin and will be out indefinitely.

The team the Friars play on Thursday night is made up of former collegians. The roster includes the likes of former Eastern Michigan star, Fred Cofield, Notre Dame's Antoni Wyche, Charlton Clarke from Massachusetts and Michigan State's Daimon Bethea.

Following Thursday's game, the Friars play their second preseason game on Sunday, October 14th when they face the One World All-Stars at 7:30 p.m.

Single game tickets and season tickets are available by calling the Providence College Ticket Office at (401) 865-GOPC.