Providence Friars 75 (21-12)

#3 Xavier Musketeers 72 (28-5) OT

Wow.  What…A…Game.

After finding themselves down 17 points to Xavier, the number 3 team in the country, the Providence Friars stormed back and snatched victory from the reigning Big East Regular Season Champions in their second overtime game in as many days.

The Friars finished off their incredible effort behind double-digit scoring displays from Rodney Bullock (17), Alpha Diallo (17), Kyron Cartwright (15), and Nate Watson (14).

Game Notes:

• Kyron Cartwright, the Senior and straw that stirs the Friars drink, showed out against Xavier and put up a 15 points, 6 assist effort en route to leading the team to victory.
• Perhaps the most impressive feat was his dunk on a fast break while Providence was storming back from their double-digit deficit.  This was just his second dunk of his college career but this one was so much more impressive given the circumstances and the fact that it was in the flow of the game rather than a solo fast break.

The lid is about to come off this building #gofriars pic.twitter.com/HFFMEYxQxE

— PC Men’s Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) March 10, 2018

• I’ve never raised so many roofs in my life but if Kyron’s doing it, I’m fucking doing it.  We’re bringing it back baby.  Let’s take a closer and slower look, shall we?

👀 pic.twitter.com/ZZn8TLejQg

— PC Men’s Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) March 10, 2018

• Someone else was pretty excited about that dunk too.

Welcome to March Madness Friars!!! Proud of my bros!!! Btw, did I see Kyron peek inside the rim on that dunk??? #Pcbb

— Kris Dunn (@KrisDunn3) March 10, 2018

• Alpha Diallo continued to call MSG his second home (the Dunk being the first).  Diallo finished with 17 points on 5-9 shooting, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.  He keeps getting better with every game.
• Rodney Bullock is on his best streak of games of the year and had 17 points (7-14), 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and a block.
• Jalen Lindsey hit 2 threes en route to 8 points but struggled with foul trouble all game, only playing 20 minutes.
• Nate Watson was a MONSTER of the bench.  Watson was 5-6 for 14 points, 4 rebounds, and a block, making a huge difference against the size of Xavier.  He looked like h belonged out there as much as anybody.  I was so impressed by his play.  This coming the day after playing just 4 minutes against Creighton.
• Another guy who stepped up when his number was called, was fellow Freshman Makai Ashton-Langford.  He looked like the MAL from the beginning of the season.  In just 10 minutes, MAL scored 4 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and added an assist and a steal.
• Isaiah Jackson really struggled to find buckets, going scoreless in 28 minutes but at least Mr. Glue was able to grab 8 boards to make up for a it a little bit.
• The refs sucked again.  Big surprise.

@StuJackson32 @BIGEAST @BIGEASTMBB

So this is a foul now? The Big East deserves better officiating! #pcbb pic.twitter.com/rVgy58tuZL

— Brendon Jennings (@BrendonJennings) March 10, 2018

• I really can’t stand Kerem Kanter.
• Or J.P. Macura.
• Or Naji Marshall.
• Or Chris Mack.
• Blueitt is alright, but I might just be saying that because he shot 2-14 from the floor.
• Post-Win Photo Award goes to…hmmm, this one is tough.  I’m going to go with John Rocke.

• Possibly the best post-game speech I’ve seen out of Coach Cooley.

Ed Cooley in the locker room postgame. #pcbb pic.twitter.com/NKNOaCKGWi

— FʀɪᴀʀTV (@FriarTV) March 10, 2018

• I also, possibly, maybe, kind of, had a few drinks during that epic comeback win.

I love Kyron. I love Rodney. I love Jalen. I love Kalif. I love Nate. I love MAL. I love Isaiah. I love Drew. I love Tommy. I love Andrew. I love Maliek. I love Emmitt. I love Dajour. I love Alpha. I love Cooley. And I love, I love, I LOVE THE PC FRIARS!!!!!!!!!#pcbb

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 10, 2018

Next Up, the Friars advance to the Big East Championship game to take on Villanova on Saturday Night at 6:30 PM on FOX.