PROVIDENCE -- Ready or not, it's time for the Providence College men's basketball team to show what its got against the best the Big East has to offer.

The Friars enjoyed their final tune-up before conference play last night with a 107-69 thrashing of Longwood University before a subdued crowd of 5,913 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center. PC will carry a 10-3 record into the start of Big East play tomorrow night against No. 15 Marquette (13-2), then welcome Seton Hall to town on Saturday night.

The Friars recovered from a 30-point loss last week to Florida State by pasting a Longwood (6-11) team that hung around for a little more than a half before fading badly. The Lancers, a third-year Division I program from Farmville, Va., were eventually overwhelmed by PC's size and speed as the Friars rolled to school-record 66 points in the second half.

"This was a game we needed for some confidence going into the league," said coach Tim Welsh. "As I just told the guys, we're going from Double A ball to the Major Leagues, so we have to be ready."

Six different Friars scored in double figures, with big men Jonathan Kale and Herbert Hill leading the way against little opposition from the Lancer frontcourt. Kale scored a career-best 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds. Hill looked good as well with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 6 blocks.

Point guard Dwain Williams replaced Sharaud Curry for the second straight game and finished with 14 points and six assists. Geoff McDermott added 14 points while Weyinmi Efejuku and Jamal Barney added 13 apiece.

Maurice Sumter led the Lancers with 16 points, but the visitors were plagued by 23 turnovers and overwhelmed off the backboards, 43-30.

Anyone who only watched the first half would've left wondering if the Friars can win any Big East games. They turned the ball over 11 times and gave up too many easy chances against a team that lacks Big East-quality talent. The turnover issues were a continuation of major problems against Florida State, when 22 turnovers and a porous defense led to an ugly defeat.

The Friars took care of the ball much better (4 turnovers) in a free-wheeling second half that featured five 3-pointers, lots of fastbreak hoops and loads of easy baskets in the lane. PC was credited with 60 points in the paint on the night.

"When we made them play five-on-five in the first half, I thought our defense was good," said Welsh. "The problem was our turnovers. But you hold a team to 35 percent shooting, that's pretty good."

The question now is just how ready the Friars are for a visit from a nationally ranked Golden Eagle club that boasts one of the best guard trios in the nation in Dominic James, Jerel McNeal and Wesly Matthews. Curry's status for the game is unknown but it appears he could miss PC's two remaining games this week, a development that may jeopardize plans for a quick start in the conference. The Friars' counter to Marquette's potent backcourt would be Efejuku and three freshmen -- Williams, Barney and Brian McKenzie.

The situation could be eased a bit by a freak accident in a Marquette practice on Monday when Matthews and McNeal bumped heads and were taken to the hospital. The Milwaukee Journal reported yesterday that neither player practiced yesterday and their status for the Big East opener remains unclear.

"It's going to be a good challenge for everyone," said Williams, who had just one turnover last night. "I won't be intimidated after going up against someone like Sharaud every day. He's one of the best guards in the country. I'm ready to play and it's going to be a battle."

kmcnamar@projo.com / (401) 277-7340