Providence Friars 66 (21-13)

#2 Villanova Wildcats 76 (30-4) OT

The Providence Friars once again took a team to Overtime in the Big East Tournament, but this time is was Villanova and unfortunately, the Friars were unable to make it three Overtime victories in a row in their quest to win their 3rd Big East Championship Title.  The three overtime games were a first for a team in the Big East Tournament.

The Friars once again dug themselves into a double-digit deficit and once again, they stormed back to tie things up in regulation.

Jalen Brunson (31) and Mikal Bridges (25) showed why they’ll both most likely be entering the NBA Draft after this season is over and scored a combined 56 of Villanova’s 76 points (73.7%).

For the third straight game, the Friars were led by Kyron Cartwright (19) and Alpha Diallo (22).

Game Notes:

• Kyron Cartwright was unbelievable.
• Cartwright played all 45 minutes of regulation and Overtime, shot 7-16 from the floor for 19 points, handed out 6 assists, and connected on this magical shot near the end of regulation.

WOW. Kyron ClutchWright back at it in the Championship Game #pcbb #kyroncartwright pic.twitter.com/XHANJs9pe0

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 11, 2018

• Kyron hit back-to-back threes during the comeback effort and continues to have easily the best celebrations on the team.

It’s the Kyron Cartwright Show at MSG #pcbb #kyroncartwright #onemanwreckingcrew pic.twitter.com/DNyyYBybjg

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 11, 2018

• Over the Big East Tournament, Cartwright averaged 15.7 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.0 rpg, and 15 raise-the-roofs per game.
• Cartwright now has 637 assists in this collegiate career, 25 short of Ernie D’s 2nd place career total of 662.  It looks like the Friars are going to need a Sweet Sixteen run to get Kyron into 2nd place.
• It was Nate Watson and Makai Ashton-Langford getting the huge minutes off the bench for the Friars last night but it was the play of Drew Edwards in crunch time minutes that gave the Friars a boost against Villanova, including this big boy And-1 put-back.

Well hello Drew. Huge play from Edwards! #pcbb #drewedwards #effortplays pic.twitter.com/G3XLKj6sX7

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 11, 2018

• Also, with Jalen Bruson having his way for the entire first half, Edwards provided some stellar defense against the Big East Player of the Year with his size and lateral movement.  Edwards played 19 minutes which is the most he played in a game since February 10th against DePaul.  That was also the last time he made a field goal…10 games ago.  Cooley has confidence that whoever’s number gets called will be up for the task, and tonight it was Drew.
• Alpha Diallo loves those New York City lights.  Diallo led the Friars in scoring with 22 points on 8-17 shooting, while also grabbing a team-high 10 rebounds.  This was the 6th double-double of the season for Diallo.
• Over the course of the Big East Tournament, Diallo averaged 19.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg, and 2.7 apg.
• Rodney Bullock didn’t have quite the same game offensively as the last couple of outings.  The Senior shot 3-11 from the field for 10 points.
• Jalen Lindsey had an even rougher night, going 0-7, all from three.  So many of Jalen’s threes were just a hair off and halfway down the hoop before the bounced out.  I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going to bounce back for the NCAA Tournament and at least a couple of those are going down in the Dance.
• Nate Watson played well in 10 minutes of action, hitting 2-4 from the floor for 5 points.
• Makai Ashton-Langford, Maliek White, Isaiah Jackson, and Kalif Young combined for 38 minutes and just 5 points.
• Jalen Brunson is a well-deserved Big East Player of the Year.
• Mikal Bridges should be a lottery pick.  That kid can do it all…even if that loose ball three in overtime was 80% luck.
• Ed Cooley had a heck of a night.
• First of all, after any big shot, rebound, or moment for the Friars, Ed was smiling ear to ear and soaking up every single second of it.

Mood. pic.twitter.com/8SN515qqTZ

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 11, 2018

• In the heat of the moment, Cooley ripped his pants and was forced to wear a towel tucked into the back of his pants for the rest of the game to cover up the damage.

Providence Coach Ed Cooley is so into the Big East title game that he ripped his pants. pic.twitter.com/EX0oKmWhYL

— Tom Jolly (@TomJolly) March 11, 2018

WATCH: Ed Cooley on his wardrobe malfunction in the Big East Championship, leading him to wear a towel around his waist during the game.

“I felt a great breeze in the crack.”

“… my pants ripped.”@ABC6 #pcbb pic.twitter.com/IXu3LP3hVd

— Ian Steele (@IanSteeleABC6) March 11, 2018

• Not only that, but he had some choice words for the ref to tell Donte DiVincenzo after he said something to Cooley as he ran down the court.

Ed Cooley does NOT sound happy with Donte DiVincenzo talking shit @BarstoolPC @BarstoolNova pic.twitter.com/JNmYK1f9Lg

— Seton Hall Barstool (@SetonHallStool) March 11, 2018

Up Next, Selection Sunday comes around and Providence won’t have to be sweating it out like they might have been before the Big East Tournament started.