Friar Basketball Newsletter: After taking out Creighton and Villanova at home, a trip to Connecticut awaits
Following a pair of important home wins over #18 Creighton and Villanova, Providence improved its record to 20-7 overall and 12-4 in the Big East — a game back of Marquette for the best record in league play.
The victory over Creighton was one of the best games in all of college basketball this season — a 94-86 win in double overtime that included high level shot making and clutch defensive plays late.
We detailed how Devin Carter was an absolute force on both ends of the floor for PC against the Bluejays.
“Everybody talks about all these different players around the country defensively,” Ed Cooley said after the win. “I wouldn’t take one player in America defensively — not one — (over Carter).”
Our notes from the game include information on how Noah Locke has made dramatic improvements from inside the 3-point arc at PC, as well as Cooley trusting Corey Floyd Jr. late, Jayden Pierre making plays, and more.
Highlights from the win can be seen here.
Over the weekend, Providence completed its first sweep of Villanova in ten years. The Wildcats simply wouldn’t go away in this one, but a pair of late 3-pointers by Locke and Carter ultimately did them in.
While those were the two biggest shots late, the Friars won this one on the strength of their interior play. Nova had no answers inside for Ed Croswell and Bryce Hopkins.
Our “10 Things” article breaks down just how dominant Croswell and Hopkins were on Saturday. From the article:
Ed Croswell and Bryce Hopkins combined for 40 points and 22 rebounds against a Villanova club that couldn’t match up with them on the interior.
Providence more than met their goal against Nova. PC shot 15-17 on shots at the rim, and ended the day by making 17-20 in the paint.
Croswell (21 points, 10 boards) versus Eric Dixon was destined to be an interior battle, but Kyle Neptune didn’t have a natural match up for Hopkins, who played the full 40 minutes and finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds, four steals, and two blocks.
Our feature article from the Villanova game is on Ed Croswell and his terrific development over the past three years at Providence. Croswell crossed the 1,000 point mark on Saturday.
“I’m cherishing every moment. Before the games I’m staring into the crowd, I’m looking around like, ‘This is something special that I’ve been a part of.’ I want to soak in every moment,’” Croswell said on Saturday night.
Highlights of the win over Nova can be seen here.
Finally, we take a look ahead toward Providence’s trip this week to Connecticut to take on UConn. The article tracks the trajectory of both programs — both since they last met in early January and over the three seasons since the Huskies joined the Big East.
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