Wounded Friars Fall to Houston

Providence last played at Mohegan Sun two months back, but it might as well be a lifetime ago.Friar fans were on a high in late October. Their Friars trounced Connecticut in an exhibition game that felt like so much more than a preseason run through.

Providence’s offense was on point that night: 90 points on 30-45 shooting from the floor and 9-17 beyond the arc. Five scored players in double figures, none played more than 30 minutes, with PC eventually leading by 27 with under eight minutes to play in the game. If not for a 21-35 night at the free throw line they could have won by 30.

There was no talk then of how much Ed Cooley’s group would miss Emmitt Holt.

No one would have dreamed in late…