Providence Journal college basketball podcast: Friars with room to improve, URI-Bryant on tap, Brown visits Chapel Hill, more

Pick and Pop College Hoops Podcast

Welcome to the latest edition of the Providence Journal's college basketball podcast. The opening week of the season is upon us.

Journal sports writer Bill Koch and Morey Hershgordon -- sports director at WPRI and Fox Providence -- were in studio to hit on the first few days of action in the state.

Providence (1:30) is off to a 2-0 start but still has room to improve after wins over Fairfield and Sacred Heart. The Friars will be tested Monday in a Gavitt Games encounter with Wisconsin.

The University of Rhode Island and Bryant both opened with victories and squared off Friday night. The Rams (18:30) defended well in downing Boston University while the Bulldogs (29:00) fired on offense while dismissing Fisher College.

Brown (38:20) takes a major step up in class at North Carolina on Friday night. The Bears returned after a year-long absence by cruising past Salve Regina on Tuesday.

URI's women (48:15) finish a Friday doubleheader in Kingston by hosting Merrimack. We look at the Rams and their quick start with a hammering of Dartmouth on Tuesday.

Thanks as always for listening. Much more to come this season.