The scrappy team has given people something to focus on outside of the COVID-19 pandemic and the horrors of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Fans at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center danced and cheered to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me,” the unofficial anthem at every home game. The lyrics offer a message about being with those who understand you. It’s how the students feel about PC, a school that gave out sweatshirts to all returning students after the pandemic shutdown that read, “You are never alone in Friartown.”

When the Friars trounced Creighton 72-51 to secure its first-ever Big East regular season title on Feb. 28, Rhode Islanders were ready to see them go all the way.

“Why not the Friars?” coach Ed Cooley asked reporters Wednesday as the team prepared to leave for Chicago.

Cooley knows what its like to be the underdog. He was a kid from South Providence in the 1980s who had to sneak into the Civic Center to catch a game because he couldn’t afford a ticket. Now, on campus and off, he’s a celebrity, high-fiving students and taking selfies.

“Just the other day, I saw him walking around campus and I gave him a fist bump,” said Liam Wilson, a PC freshman. “He embraces this culture and this city. And Providence just wraps their arms around him right back. He’s an inspiration to all of us.”

During a December matchup against Seton Hall in Providence, Cooley wanted his Friars to be more aggressive. TV cameras were rolling when Cooley leaned into the huddle and pounded his fist straight into his palm with each word he spoke.

“This is a street fight,” he shouted over the crowd. “Be the tougher team. If we’re the tougher team, we’re winning. Be them dudes.”

The Friars clinched their seventh straight win that night — and “them dudes” became their tagline.

“There’s a common love we all have for our…