Sharaud Curry of the Friars heads for a landing in the seats as he chases a loose ball during last night’s game at The Dunk.

The Providence Journal / Ruben W. Perez

PROVIDENCE — If there was one Providence Friar who would like to forget the 2007-08 season the most, it probably is Jonathan Kale.

For the first time in his basketball life, the big forward from Boston saw nothing but frustration in his junior season. After starting early in the year, Kale got off to a slow offensive start and saw his minutes begin to seesaw. He’d occasionally drop in a few strong efforts such as an 11-point, nine-rebound night against Rhode Island and 16 points at Syracuse, but stringing any type of consistency together proved difficult.

By the end of the season, Kale was playing token minutes, and didn’t play at all in seven games. He finished the season averaging just 4.9 points and 2.9 rebounds.

“It was tough. I never really experienced something like that,” he said. “I kept my head up. I knew I’d see better days if I kept working hard. It was tough, but the main thing was to keep working hard and bring it.”

A change in PC’s coaching staff could end up saving Kale’s career. In the first look at the Keno Davis Friars, Kale’s trademark aggression and toughness returned as he led Providence with 15 points and nine rebounds in the Friars’ 85-57 rout of the University of Ottawa last night at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

Davis has given Kale some pretty simple, yet difficult, orders — rebound, defend and play as hard as you can.

“My game is playing hard and doing the dirty work,” he says. “To be active and bring energy and grab rebounds is an easy way to get on the court.”

Kale is often heard yelling to teammates on defense and loudly cheering good plays wherever they occur. Davis clearly enjoys Kale’s effort.

“He’s been one of the bright spots for us,” said Davis. “He brings a different level of intensity to us on the defensive end. He gives you everything he’s got and he’ll fight inside. As long as he keeps working that hard, he’s got a chance to be a really fine player for us in the league this year.”

The Friars will need plenty of big games from Kale and the team’s other big men if their shooters misfire like they did in this game. After shooting the ball confidently and successfully in practice sessions, the Friars couldn’t buy a hoop from the extended 3-point distance. The Friars missed their first 19 threes before Weyinmi Efejuku swished one from the wing late in the second half. The team finished 1-for-22 from downtown.

Davis used 10 of his 11 scholarship players liberally, choosing to hold out sophomore Greedy Peterson to reserve the option of red-shirting him this season.

“We’ve kind of got eight, nine players in our rotation right now, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the eighth or ninth guy ended up starting some this year,” said Davis.

Sharaud Curry played 15 first-half minutes and appeared tentative. He sat out the entire second half, but that was the coach’s plan and not a reaction to the foot injury that sidelined him all of last season.

The Canadians may have been offensively challenged (31 percent from the field), but they did play physically. That style led to one casualty as Friar senior forward Geoff McDermott was whacked in the face in the first half and played just 12 minutes. He sat on the bench with an ice pack on his nose the rest of the night.

“I don’t expect he’ll be doing any TV close-ups any time soon,” Davis cracked.

PC is back in action next Saturday for another exhibition game, against Slippery Rock. The regular-season opener is Nov. 15 against Northeastern.Providence

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kmcnamar@projo.com