Providence men’s basketball stumble out of the gates

The Providence Pilots men’s basketball team certainly looks a little different to start the 2025/2026 season.

Star centre/power forward Riley Paul has graduated from the program and with fellow big Emmanuel Oleko out of the line-up until the new year, a team that’s strength has been up front for the past few years is struggling to adjust.

The Pilots, who were the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champions last season, but lost the Mantioba Colleges Athletic Conference final to Canadian Mennonite University lost their first two games of the season to those same CMU Blazers.

“The key word for us is consistency, which is nothing new in basketball, nothing new in sports,” head coach Pierre Dubreuil said after dropping a tough game to CMU Nov. 15 in the team’s home opener.

“Tonight is the first night where we’ve had 40 minutes of consistency. We’re very physical, we’re very aggressive in a good way. We play the mental game and the physical game. We like to dish it and we like to take it.”

Dubreuil noted in the team’s first game against CMU, a lopsided 84-66 loss in Winnipeg, the Pilots played completely different to how they practiced, and was encouraged to see a push-back in the second game.

That physical play paid off on the defensive side of the ball but the team still struggled to score in the first quarter, falling behind 22-9 to start the game, before storming back to take a lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Blazers came out in a slugfest, squeaking past with a 71-69 victory.

“We’re lacking offensive solutions right now,” Dubreuil said, noting the team is dealing with some key injuries to start the season.

“That’s the great news about tonight. This is us with limited us.”

The offensive spark came from an unlikely source, as freshman guard Judah Graham came into the game from off the bench and put up a strong performance, with 10 points and six assists. The 5’9 point guard from Scarborough, Ont., wrecked havoc with his drives, both in transition and in the half-court.

Graham had the ball in his hands with a chance to tie the game in the final moments, but opted for an attempt at a go-ahead three that didn’t find the mark. Dubreuil said he hopes next time Graham goes for the drive instead, praising the freshman for his “Pilot of the game,” performance.

“Believe or not, he’s one of those players that had a terrible tryout,” Dubreuil said with a smile.

“Something about his personality, the man that he is and his family support made me want to give him a second chance. I told him to convince me and he did. I’m absolutely glad I gave him a second chance.”

There will be no chance for the Pilots to refine their game on the practice court, as the team is off to Iowa to play three games in three days as part of their American schedule.

Providence next plays basketball games at home Dec. 6, in their final game of the 2025 calendar.