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Providence hired Rick Pitino in 1985, and the run that ended at the 1987 Final Four began there. His first year brought 17 wins and an NIT berth. Billy Donovan and Delray Brooks returned for '86-87, the three point line arrived, and Pitino sensed something big.
A 10-6 in Big East finish sent the Friars to the NCAA tournament for the first time in nine years. UAB fell in the opening round, Austin Peay went down in a tight one, and the Sweet 16 was next.
Alabama got run out of the building, setting up an Elite 8 game with Georgetown, their old Big East rival.
“I told them they were the luckiest bunch of guys I had seen,” Pitino says. “I said, You don’t realize it, but there is only one team that isn’t afraid of you. They’re going to take you so lightly that it will be a cakewalk to the Final Four.”
Providence won 86-73. New Orleans and the Final Four followed.
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