Providence senior forward Geoff McDermott, defending Slippery Rock’s Denell Stephens on Saturday, will be called upon to pull down more rebounds for the Friars this season.

The Providence Journal / Glenn Osmundson

PROVIDENCE — At last month’s Big East media day, Pittsburgh coach Jaime Dixon fretted about the depth of the conference and shook his head in amazement when asked about the situation new Providence College coach Keno Davis finds himself in.

“It’s very unique,” Dixon said, “to come into a league as strong as ours and have a team with five returning starters and potentially your best player coming off a (injury) red-shirt year. Usually our new coaches come in and have to pick up the pieces and start rebuilding a program. Providence could be very good right away.”

Keno Davis may only have one season as a head collegiate coach under his belt but he appreciates what Dixon is talking about. One of the attractions of leaving Drake for PC was that the Friars weren’t cellar dwellers in the Big East last season, or any season in Tim Welsh’s 10 years as the coach. Davis inherits a core of seniors who feel it’s possible to win plenty of games right away.

“We have a sense of urgency,” said forward Geoff McDermott, one of five seniors on the team. “Everybody is working harder. Coach Keno is doing a great job. When guys aren’t working hard, we get on them. This year the passion is higher.”

Despite the security of a seven-year contract, Davis says he understands the importance of the scoreboard. Whether you’re coaching at Providence College, Drake or UCLA, the end results are the ultimate barometer. And everyone wants to win right away.

“Every coach feels pressure to win right away. You’re going to hear it from everyone if you don’t win. They want to win right away,” Davis said.

The core of the 2008-09 Friars has already proven it can win a lot of games. McDermott is an excellent example. He’s started every game (89) he’s been eligible for at PC and is on target to start more games than any Friar in history. He’s led the Friars in rebounding for three seasons and is one of the finest all-around forwards in the country.

But with a 45-44 career record at PC, McDermott hasn’t won often enough. Changing that tune is his top priority in his final collegiate season.

“We all want to get to the NCAA’s. That’s always the goal,” he said. “Coach wants me to be more of a leader. He holds me to a higher standard.”

Instead of discussing NCAA chances, Davis is working several steps behind. He knows that effort, or lack thereof, has been an issue with this core of Friars, which finished 15-16 last year (6-12 in the Big East). Sparking a consistent work ethic is the top priority and a trait that will carry over into crisper passing, setting better screens, blocking out off the boards and other skills that translate into more wins.

“More importantly for me right now isn’t the wins and losses but to get our intensity level up and play and practice harder,” said Davis. “Fans, especially here in the East, are very knowledgeable about the game. If they leave the arena and know the team did its best and went after it, they can respect that. They understand what a good effort is. If they see that, they know things on the horizon look good, whether that’s the next week or the next season.”

Asked how this group is responding on that note, Davis answered “that’s getting better every day. We have a ways to go yet but I think the team is understanding what they have to do.”

Davis says he’s had to spend time improving some players’ confidence. Freeing shooters such as seniors Jeff Xavier and Weyinmi Efejuku, as well as much-improved junior Brian McKenzie, to fire away sounds easy but is a learned characteristic. “The guys have to understand how talented they are and what they can do to be successful,” he said.

Davis’ offensive plans feature pushing the tempo as often as possible and creating baskets in transition. That starts with point-guard play and he’s thrilled to welcome back Sharaud Curry after a foot injury cost him his junior year.

Curry is in fine physical shape but not yet near top game shape. Regaining 100 percent confidence in his right foot is a in progress.

The good news is with shooters such as Xavier, Efejuku and McKenzie, the point man has scoring options to utilize. “Overall I’m pleased with their ability and their strength in shooting the basketball. We have guys that can score in a variety of ways,” Davis said.

Scoring inside is more of a challenge. McDermott says he won’t be handling the ball as much as he did under Welsh’s watch. That may cost him some assists but also reduce turnovers with Curry on the scene.

It also will free McDermott to use his 6-foot-7, 235-pound frame closer to the hoop where he could challenge for the Big East’s rebounding title. Randall Hanke, a 67 percent career shooter, puts up points in bushels when he’s within 8 feet of the basket and the increased aggression showed by Jon Kale, yet another senior, is encouraging.

The Friars will sink or swim, however, at the other end of the court. PC improved its defensive numbers in 2008 over 2007 but still gave up 74 points a game to its Big East brethren. Without an interior defensive force and shaky ball pressure, this group tends to spring leaks. That trend must come to an end and Xavier, Kale and impressive sophomore Marshon Brooks could be defensive staples.

“We’re going to improve defensively. We have already,” said Davis. “I’m hoping people watch us and will see an improvement every game. We know that by the time the Big East rolls around you have to be a better team.”

Finally, the Big East may be PC’s biggest hurdle of all. Seven teams are ranked in the preseason Top 25, four in the top nine. That depth wears on some teams but can help others shine. The good news for Davis is that in a league where you need an awful lot of ammunition, his first Providence team won’t be going to war empty-handed.

kmcnamar@projo.com