Bloodied But Unbowed: Keno Davis Leads His PC Program Through Tumultuous Times
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Keno Davis seems remarkably upbeat for a coach whose program has had a tumultuous offseason. One month after two of his PC men’s basketball players were charged with assaulting another student, Davis kicked his leading scorer and rebounder Jamine “Greedy” Peterson off the team.
Davis and the school announced Peterson’s dismissal in a statement on the school’s website citing a “violation of team rules.” When asked to explain what his former player did to warrant dismissal, the Friars coach said, “there’s not much that I can go into because of privacy acts but we do have high standards at Providence College which makes it a special place to be and we expect our students to live up to those standards.”
Given what transpired in April when Johnnie Lacy and James Still were expelled from school after being charged with assault, you wonder if Peterson and the rest of the players had a little less leeway than usual. “You try to look at every instance in any occasion specifically and individually and try to do what’s best for Providence College and do what’s best for the individual,” Davis said.
Regardless of Peterson’s transgression, this is another major blow for a program already reeling from prior offseason controversy off the floor and a 4-14 Big East record on the court. Now, without Peterson’s team-leading 19.6 points and 10.2 rebounds per game and second leading scorer Sharaud Curry who graduated, the 2010-2011 Friars could struggle even more.
There are reports which state that Peterson already has offers to play with multiple teams overseas but his desire is to try to play in the NBA. Davis said that turning pro after the season was something the two discussed on numerous occasions and that he hadn’t made up his mind as to what he was going to do. “I don’t think he had made up his mind about trying to provide for his family and be able to make some money at this game,” said Davis. “An education is important to him and even though he won’t be with us here at Providence College, it’s something that I really believe he is going to continue to pursue and I’m going to do everything I can to help him in that regard.”
On the court, Peterson’s loss should be noticeable. Not only was he PC’s best player, he was one of the best players in the entire Big East conference. How these two offseason incidents effect the program off the court remains to be seen but it is hard to see how it could help.
Still, Davis remains positive. Sitting in his office with a smile on his face cordially answering every question asked of him by the local media, you would never know that his was a program in turmoil. Still, he is human and admits that these past six weeks have not been easy. “Yes, it’s been difficult,” he said. “It would be hard for anyone to believe that it’s not a difficult situation. But what you’re also trying to do in my position is to do what’s best for the college and you’re also thinking about the individuals and trying to be there for them as they continue their lives and that’s what I will continue to try to do.”
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