Providence Friars (14-10) 70

St. John’s Red Storm (17-7) 56

The Jekyll and Hyde act continues for this year’s Providence Friars.  After struggling to show up for the last couple of contest, the Friars traveled down to the World’s Most Famous Arena and easily dispatched St. John’s in front of a pretty stunned home crowd.

Nate Watson saw a return to form and with his foul trouble in check, was able to do whatever he so well pleased in the post against and overwhelmed Red Storm frontcourt. Watson had his highest total (18) in his last 6 games and if he can continue to play D with this type of caution, he will rack up the points in the paint against Big East competition.

With Alpha Diallo having an off-night offensively, it’s a good thing that Big Nate was able to carry the load for the team.  Let’s hope that this gets things back on track for the team down the stretch for the Friars as Big East conference play gets going.

Game Recap: 

• That is the Nate Watson I know and love to watch go to work.
• Watson was his usual efficient self, going 5-9 from the floor for a team-high 18 points.  Mind you, this was only in 25 minutes of action.  Nate continued to be much more proficient from the free throw line, hitting 8 out of 10 freebies.  When Watson is connecting from the free throw line and staying out of foul trouble, he is both an unstoppable force and an immovable object.
• In out-of-conference play, Watson shot 42-71 (59.2%) from the line.
• In Big East play, Watson has shot 29-43 (67.4%) so far.  Over his last 7 games, he’s been especially good, hitting 23-30 (76.7%).  If he keeps hitting at that clip, he’s going to be a whole lot of trouble.
• Even though Alpha had a tough night shooting, going only 3-12 from the floor, he was able to record a double-double with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds.  This was Diallo’s 7th double-double of the season and the 13th of his career.
• Isaiah Jackson continues to sneak his way into being decent offensively in small doses while doing the majority of his damage from the line.  He’s one of the best fee throw shooters on the team, so it only makes sense to get to where you’re most effective.
• Jackson went 2-5 from the floor but 6-8 from the line, good for 12 points.  Super Glue also reeled in 7 rebounds and cashed out 3 assists, en route to a pretty dang good overall effort.  The 2 made threes were his first game with multiple made threes in his last 12 games, the last coming against Texas before the conference schedule even started.  Let’s cross our fingers that this is the beginning of a turnaround for Jackson’s outside shooting woes.
• P.S. Air Guitar is officially my new favorite celebration.

Isaiah Jackson with the shot clock expiring, and the Friar bench mob strums an air guitar in celebration. pic.twitter.com/PPXBG4LL3x

— CBS Sports Network (@CBSSportsNet) February 9, 2019 

• And because we can’t go a game without at least one person in foul trouble with these Big East refs, the only defense that could stop David Duke in this game was foul trouble.  Duke looked primed to go off during the game, going 4-5 from the floor for 11 points, but foul trouble kept him out of doing severe damage to the Johnnies.
• Although A.J. Reeves struggled from the floor, shooting just 2-10, it was sliiiiiiiightly encouraging to see him go 2-5 from distance.  We’re inching our way back to fully healthy A.J., I can feel it.
• Chris Mullen should be doing so much better with the amount of raw talent on the St. John’s team, am I right?
• Shamorie Ponds is still an offensive machine and finished with a game-high 20 points.
• Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner.

“This was one of the more fun coaching days of my career. I appreciate the joy you guys played with. Great team win.” – @CoachCooleyPC pic.twitter.com/wczRhUWjqE

— PC Men’s Basketball (@PCFriarsmbb) February 9, 2019 

Up Next, the Friars face #11 Marquette at home.