Providence Friars (9-6) 66

DePaul Blue Demons (12-3) 65

A clutch free throw from Nate Watson, the guy on the team who has been struggling the most with his free throw shooting this season, gave Providence their first road win of the season over DePaul.  The Friars have no started 2-0 in Big East Conference play and have won their last three games against Texas, Georgetown, and now DePaul.

This was a game that the Friars needed to pull out for their players to get some positive late game experience against a tough opponent.  The confidence that they can close out a game will play dividends throughout the season, especially with Nate Watson making the final free throw.  You don’t know how you’re going to handle the pressure of a situation like that until you’re actually faced with it.

Luwane Pipkins led the starters with 16 points and Maliek White matched his 16-point effort off the bench.  Emmitt Holt was the third Friar in double-figures (12) as Providence hit 10 three-pointers on the night to edge out the Blue Devils.

Game Notes:

• The Retro Away Jerseys are giant, hot, burning coal fire flames.

• Let’s start with Big Nate.

Nate Watson for the game. pic.twitter.com/tx4mh7bvt3

— Kevin Farrahar (@Kevin_Farrahar) January 4, 2020 

• Although Nate continues to come off the bench, he’s still a force to be reckoned with down low whenever he enters the game.  Nate had 6 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, an assist, and a block.
• Maliek White was the best player on the floor for the Friars for the game.  White scored a team-high 16-points on 5-10 shooting, including 3-4 from distance.

Maliek White had it rolling in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/BQUHDxtEhZ

— Kevin Farrahar (@Kevin_Farrahar) January 4, 2020 

• White also recorded a pair of rebounds, assists, and steals.
• Luwane Pipkins has officially turned the corner offensively.  Pip caught fire for a hot second from three and they fed the the hot hand.  It felt good to watch Pipkins start feeling himself again, that’s going to go a long way to boost his confidence going forward.
• Pipkins was 4-9 from three grabbed 5 rebounds while handing out 4 assists.
• Emmitt Holt was extremely effective, going 4-9 for 12 points.  This was the first game that Holt reached double-figures in the last 7 games.

Straight Hustle Points for Holt #pcbb #EmmittHolt #AndOne pic.twitter.com/XoFYsbu1Mb

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) January 4, 2020 

• Coach Cooley has got to find a way to get Greg Gantt some more minutes.  That dude can flat out play.  That’s a fact.

Greg Gantt can flat out play. #pcbb #GregGantt #SwipeAndSlam pic.twitter.com/XrsTEGhlZU

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) January 4, 2020 

• Alpha Diallo scored in single-digits for just the second time this season.  The first time was when he was sick and only played 10 minutes against Merrimack before having to sit out the rest of the game.  Fortunately, the Friars were able to pick up the one time he was slacking.
• David Duke did a little bit of everything per usual, leading the team with 5 assists to go with 5 rebounds and 7 points.

Duke with the shifty reverse lay in #pcbb #DavidDukeJr pic.twitter.com/OQ22A9lryZ

— The Morning Hangover (@TheMorningHang) January 4, 2020 

• I might put together a starting 5 of Big East opponents who I enjoy watching the most at some point this season, and if I do, it’s most likely going to start with Paul Reed.  I thought he was awesome last year and he’s even better this year.  He’s added a mid-range jumper to his repertoire and even though the mechanics aren’t aesthetically the smoothest looking, the ball goes in anyway.  It’s encouraging seeing him be cognizant of the fact that it made sense for him to have returned to school for another season so he could work on specific parts of his game before heading to the next level.

Next Up, the Friars stay on the road and travel to Marquette on Tuesday, playing on FS1 at 7 PM.