Providence formally kicked off its season with Late Night Madness on Saturday night.
The event was hosted by PC graduate and ESPN analyst Doris Burke, but the main attraction for the packed crowd inside Alumni Hall was the evening’s DJ. Newly-enshrined Hall of Famer, Shaquille O’Neal, better known as DJ Diesel on this night, closed out the night with a 45 minute performance.
O’Neal, who starred at LSU before going on to having a legendary career in the NBA, was given a ceremonial jersey by the Friars.
Shaq and Doris Burke in the building at #PCLateNight supporting the black&white #gofriars pic.twitter.com/ZRlvOaVHev
— Providence Friars (@PCAthletics) October 16, 2016
Providence is coming off a campaign that ended with its third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. With Kris Dunn and Ben Bentil both in the professional ranks, Ed Cooley will look to a host of role players from a season ago -- Rodney Bullock, Kyron Cartwright and Jalen Lindsey -- to keep the Friars afloat in the Big East in 2016-17.