PROVIDENCE — If Al Skinner is wondering if Geoff McDermott, Weyinmi Efejuku and a few other Providence Friars have been in school forever, he has plenty of reasons why.

In each of the last two seasons, McDermott, Efejuku and several other Friars who are still playing college basketball have tormented Skinner’s Boston College Eagles. First-year PC coach Keno Davis is hoping more of the same unfolds this afternoon when the Friars and Eagles tangle yet again, at BC’s Conte Forum.

“They’ve played well against us,” said Skinner, “and I am ready for them to leave. They’ve taken advantage of some matchups the last couple years.”

Two years ago, PC hosted BC at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. The Eagles boasted two future NBA first-round draft picks in Sean Williams and Jared Dudley, and shifty sophomore guard Tyrese Rice. But the best player on the floor was McDermott, then a sophomore. The bruising forward played one of his best games, scoring 18 points, grabbing 16 rebounds and passing off for five assists as the Friars withstood an amazing 12-block effort by Williams as PC beat the 23rd-ranked Eagles, 73-64. Efejuku added 17 for the Friars, Sharaud Curry had 18 and Jonathan Kale added 11. Rice led the Eagles with 19 points.

Last December, the teams met at the TD Banknorth Garden in the second game of the Hall of Fame Showcase. McDermott got into early foul trouble, but hot-shooting by Efejuku (21 points) and Jeff Xavier (20) helped the Friars build a 24-point lead early in the second half. The Friars proceeded to lose all of the lead in the final minute of regulation, but Xavier and Efejuku both hit threes to tie the game.

BC had the final possession of regulation, but Rice’s 3-point attempt with five seconds left missed. The overtime was all Providence. The Friars opened with a 13-2 run as Xavier and Efejuku both swished threes, and PC pulled away for a 98-89 win. Rice led the Eagles with 25 points.

The status of the PC-BC series going forward is undetermined, but today’s game shapes up as a big one for both programs. BC (8-2) has lost only twice, at St. Louis and to nationally ranked Purdue at the Preseason NIT at Madison Square Garden. Skinner says he has an extremely young team, with three freshmen and six sophomores, but in Rice he has one of the premier senior guards in the country.

PC (7-3) is facing its only nonconference road game of the season, and posting a victory against an ACC team would put some shine on a resumé that could use some help before the start of the Big East schedule.

Skinner has great respect for the Friars, if only because the program’s personnel hasn’t changed even if new coach Davis is putting in his own system.

“Providence is probably the second-best team (besides Purdue) we’ve played up to this point,” said Skinner. “They’re improving from the way they’ve played at the beginning of the season, and that reflects on how they’re getting more comfortable with the new coach and the system. They’re mostly seniors and juniors, so it’s a matter of time before they get comfortable.”

Skinner needs his younger players to mature quickly.

kmcnamar@projo.com