Providence Friars 74 (18-12)

#3 Xavier Musketeers 84 (26-4)

This was basically a no-lose game for Providence.  It was a great opportunity for them to get another signature win for their NCAA resume, but if they lost, it’s really not a big deal because they were playing at #3 Xavier’s place and on their Senior Night.

Xavier never trailed in the game and capped off an emotional night for their stellar Senior class with their first ever Big East title, and first ever Non-Villanova Big East title for the conference.

Trevon Blueitt showed why he’s a potential All-American on his way to a game-high 23 points and moved himself into 2nd place all-time on the Xavier Men’s Basketball scoring list.

The Friars spread their scoring out with 5 players finishing in double-figures but 3 of those guys happened to score that off of the bench…not ideal when trying to beat a Top-5 team on the road.

Game Notes:

• It’s hard to beat a Top 5 team on the road, let alone when it’s their Senior Night and their team is chalk full of Seniors.

• Malike White led the Friars in scoring with 15 points on 6-10 shooting.

Not sure I would’ve called it an “Alpha Duece” but it was a filthy left-handed hook to beat the shot clock #pcbb #AlphaDialli pic.twitter.com/l7FJg4mINN

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 1, 2018

Maybe I have to re-name it the Maliek War Cry #pcbb #MaliekWhite #dunksondunks pic.twitter.com/LL8IMZpErq

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 1, 2018

• Maliek is averaging 9.3 ppg over the last 4 games.  This is the Maliek that I knew he could be this year.  And how about that War Cry.  Thank God we have a man in waiting to take over the War Cry from Bullock.
• Isaiah Jackson was 2nd on the team in scoring with 13 points on 4-9 shooting and led the team in rebounds with 7.
• Makai Ashton-Langford had his first really good game in what seems like forever.  He was aggressive in attacking the rim but didn’t stop his dribble in precarious positions or throw un-makeable shots up after over-penetrating.   MAL scored 11 points off the bench on 4-6 shooting and handed out 3 assists to 1 TO in 15 minutes of action.  The 11 points were the most he’s scored in 20 games and reminded me of how he was playing early in the non-conference schedule.
• MAL has even gone 8 for his last 10 from the line, so he might be turning a corner.  He might want to save taking threes until he has an off-season of working on them under his belt though.  Let’s not get crazy.
• The bench outscored the starters for the 2nd straight game and this time it wasn’t even remotely close.  After outscoring the starters 28-26 in their last game against Georgetown, the bench scored 45 points to just 29 for the starting 5.
• Alpha Diallo led the starters with 13 points on 6-10 shooting.

Not sure I would’ve called it an “Alpha Duece” but it was a filthy left-handed hook to beat the shot clock #pcbb #AlphaDialli pic.twitter.com/l7FJg4mINN

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 1, 2018

• Kyron Cartwright scored 10 points and dropped 5 assists but he also turned the ball over 5 times.

Defense ➡️ Offense

Kyron Cartwright looking to keep @PCFriarsmbb in it on both ends. #BIGEASThoops pic.twitter.com/ZtQ8WfGzEc

— #BIGEASThoops (@BIGEASTMBB) March 1, 2018

• The Friars as a team recored 14 assists to 17 turnovers.
• The starters were in foul trouble all game.  Bullock fouled out and Lindsey, Diallo, and Cartwright all had 4 fouls.  Hard to win a game when your top 4 guys are all in foul trouble.
• Another highlight of the bench was Nate Watson.  I don’t know how many times I have to say this, but he’s fucking good.  Big Nate had 6 points on 2-3 shooting and 3 blocked shots.  Feed that man the ball.  Good things will happen.

.@PCFriarsmbb with that putback dunk 👌 pic.twitter.com/nojhXvXh1A

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) March 1, 2018

• I’m so happy that I don’t have to see J.P. Macura any longer.  He’s been in college for a good decade or two and I just want him gone.  I swear to God if he comes back as a coach I’m going to flip out.
• Congrats to Xavier on dethroning Villanova as Big East champs.

• Coach Chris Mack took a pretty cool pic post-win too.

Next Up, the Friars return home for the Senior Night against St. John’s to finish out their Big East Regular Season.