The Bryan Hodgson era at Providence begins Monday night, when the Friars open their season at home against Maine.
Hodgson was hired in March after Providence parted ways with former head coach Kim English. Hodgson guided South Florida to a 25-9 record and the American Conference championship last season. South Florida was a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament and lost a first-round matchup with Louisville.
The Friars will play an up-tempo style and will likely lean heavily on 6-foot-6 guard Miles Byrd, a transfer from San Diego State. Byrd was the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year last season, when he averaged 10.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game…