The Providence men’s basketball team is getting ready for the NCAA Tournament, as the Friars will play Kentucky at 7:10 p.m. EST on March 17 in Greensboro, N.C.
The Friars almost did not make the NCAA Tournament after losing three consecutive games leading up to it, including their Big East tournament opener, a 73-66 loss to Connecticut. But they earned a No. 11 seed after going 21-11 overall and 13-7 in the Big East.
Providence graduate guard Noah Locke, a native of Baltimore and graduate of McDonogh School, believes that despite the Friars’ recent performances, they have worked hard all season and will do well in the NCAA Tournament this year.
“This year, we have a really good team. We have a good opportunity to go out there and win some games, so I’m really excited,” Locke on Glenn Clark Radio March 15. “I feel like I’m very prepared because I’ve been through a lot through my college career and even just my basketball career in general.”
Locke, 23, previously played for Florida and Louisville before coming to Providence. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound guard has played in all 32 games for the Friars this year. He is averaging 11.1 points per game and is shooting 38.9 percent from 3-point range.
“I’ve been to a lot of different schools and [have had] a lot of different experiences. But I mean, the good thing about it is that it’s not my first rodeo with the tournament,” Locke said. “I know what it feels like to be out there. I’m excited to get back out there [since] I didn’t get in there last year.”
Locke explained why he chose his “last ride” to be with Providence, as the Friars stuck with him throughout his basketball journey. Providence recruited Locke hard when he was coming out of high school, but he chose Florida instead. Regardless of this decision, Friars head coach Ed Cooley and his staff never gave up on Locke.
When Locke transferred from Florida, the Friars pitched him on Providence again only for Locke to join Louisville. When Locke transferred a second time, he “couldn’t say to them no three times in a row,” and he finally joined the Friars.
“I felt like they stuck with me and they told me what type of role I’d have and what type of opportunity I’d have, and I feel like they’ve come through with it,” Locke said. “And I feel like I’m having a great year so far. I’m just ready to get out there and win some games in the tournament.”
Locke is guided by a basketball family. His mother, father and older brother all played hoops, meaning Locke grew up in the gym and watching practices.
His father, Kyle Locke, was a productive 3-point shooter at Coppin State and won four Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season titles from 1992-1996. His mother, Vanessa Locke, played four years with the Eagles. His brother, Kayel, played for McDonogh and UNC Greensboro. He now plays professionally overseas.
“I just grew up in the gym shooting the ball, as far as I [could]. … Then I’d come back home and I’d have a basketball hoop outside that I’d play on,” Locke said. “It was just something that I just always played. … I’ve never really gotten anything else but basketball. I don’t know why it just happened to be like that, but that’s just all I really loved.”
Locke is known as a shooter. He explained that he learned how to shoot by practicing with his father when he was younger. According to Locke, as he grew up, he would shoot the ball as far away as possible until it became natural to him.
While at McDonogh, Locke played under coach T.J. Jordan for four years and developed into a consensus four-star prospect in the Class of 2018. He ended his career at McDonogh as the all-time leading scorer in school history (2,350 points).
Locke says his toughness is the biggest thing he takes from playing in Baltimore. He will take that mentality with him through the NCAA Tournament this year and into the future.
“I put so much work in. I feel like this was the route I wanted to take. It’s been going really well for me. I have some opportunities to play pro [after this season], and I feel like it’s going to go the right way,” Locke said. “I’ve put so much work in for myself.”
For more from Locke, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: David Silverman