PROVIDENCE — The Big East has released its scheduling grid for the 2009 season, with Providence College facing off against Cincinnati, Rutgers and Villanova in home-and-home games.

PC’s games at the fully renovated Dunkin’ Donuts Center include Cincinnati, DePaul, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, St. John’s, Syracuse and Villanova. The Friars will play Cincinnati, Connecticut, Georgetown, Louisville, Rutgers, Seton Hall, South Florida, Villanova and West Virginia on the road.

Keno Davis inherited most of his non-conference schedule from Tim Welsh’s regime. The Friars will open their season Nov. 27, 28 and 30 at the ESPN-sponsored Anaheim Classic, where a strong field awaits, including Arizona State, Baylor, Cal-Fullerton, Charlotte, UTEP, St. Mary’s and Wake Forest. No bracket has been designed for the event yet.

The Friars will host Brown on Dec. 3, Rhode Island on Dec. 6, and Bryant University on Dec. 22. PC’s only non-conference road game (thus far) comes Dec. 20 at Boston College.

How did the Friars fare in the Big East scheduling? PC fans have learned that there are no easy games in the 16-team monster conference, including road games to the supposed “weak sisters.” The Friars finished 6-12 in the conference in 2008 and have yet to post a winning record since the Big East expanded three years ago.

Connecticut (road game), Louisville (road game), Notre Dame (home) and Georgetown (road) seem to be the league teams that will see most of the preseason hype. Both Cincinnati and Rutgers, two repeat foes for PC, are expected to be much improved thanks to strong recruiting classes.

kmcnamar@projo.com