Providence Friars (18-15) 62

#25 Villanova Wildcats (23-9) 73

Stop me if you think that you’ve heard this one before…the Providence Friars lose a close game to the #1 seeded Villanova Wildcats in the Big East Tournament.

Despite holding Villanova to just 36.7% shooting from the floor for the game, the Friars were unable to get over the hump down the stretch, playing their second game in less than 24 hours.  I always look to the assist to turnover ratio for the team as a whole in order to get a feel of how the Friars played after any game.  If they turned it over more than they assisted on baskets, then I can almost guarantee that they didn’t pull out the win.  The Friars turned the ball over 19 times to just 11 assists.  They almost doubled up their assist total.

The three Wildcat players that you would expect to carry the load for the team did just that.  Eric Paschall, Phil Booth, and Colin Gillespie were the three main cogs in Jay Wright’s offense, combining for 51 of the team’s 73 total points (70%).  Every single time Villanova needed a big hoop or a big play, one of those guys stepped up and came through for them.  Thank God Paschall and Booth are gone after this season.  I’m sick of seeing them.

Game Notes:

• Nate Watson was the leading scorer for the Friars, scoring 15 points on 5-7 shooting.  Watson continued to improve his foul shooting like he has all year and went a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line.  Watson also added 5 rebounds.
• Unexpectedly, it was A.J. Reeves who led the Friars in rebounding with a career-high 10 boards in the game.  Reeves couldn’t continue his scorching shooting display from last game but I think his play against Butler can propel him into next season (fingers crossed).
• Alpha Diallo continued to excel in his home of New York.  The Hometown Kid scored 14 points on 5-8 shooting but turned the ball over 5 times.  His turnovers in big moments have haunted him a couple of times this season.
• Isaiah Jackson finished off his Senior season with a bang with 14 points, scoring in double-digits off the bench in 6 of his last 7 games.
• Besides those three players, no one else scored more than 6 points in the game.
• Maliek White started off his night looking like the same player who single-handedly crushed Butler the night before, but it didn’t last too long.

Maliek picking up right where he left off last night #pcbb #MaliekWhite #NateWatson #sweetfind #nova #BIGEASThoops pic.twitter.com/dDOWb44Sze

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 14, 2019 

• White scored 6 points in 24 minutes on 1-4 shooting.
• Although David Duke wasn’t afraid of the moment, he just didn’t play well enough to pull the Friars up for a win.

Maliek picking up right where he left off last night #pcbb #MaliekWhite #NateWatson #sweetfind #nova #BIGEASThoops pic.twitter.com/dDOWb44Sze

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) March 14, 2019 

• Duke had 4 turnovers and 0 assists.  Over the last 9 game, Duke turned the ball over 24 times and only accounted for 14 assists.  That is not going to get it in the slightest.  You need to take care of the ball as a point guard.  That is job #1.
• Once A Friar, Always A Friar.

WATCH: Isaiah Jackson on his career at Providence College in what could have been his final game in a PC uniform.

“I’ll always be a Frair.”@PCFriarsmbb @Zay4Jack4 pic.twitter.com/EMSSNAYgbx

— Ruthie Polinsky (@ruthiepolinsky) March 14, 2019

Thank you to all the Friars fans for your love and support over the years.. I don’t know if it’s my last game in a friar uniform but if it is I’m extremely blessed and thankful for my… https://t.co/gOEOcoqofN

— Isaiah Jackson (@Zay4Jack4) March 14, 2019

Next Up, hopefully the NIT.