Providence Friars 75 (15-5)
DePaul Blue Demons 64 (9-11)
When Noah Locke was struggling to make threes on a consistent basis, I said at the time that there was going to be 1 or 2 games that Noah Locke’s shooting was going to win it for the Friars. Even when I made that statement, I wasn’t expecting a career performance like the one he pulled out against a visiting DePaul team.
Locke poured in a career-high 29 points, hitting a ridiculous 7 three-pointers to give the Providence students a win in their first game back since winter break. The Friars were the better team and DePaul keeps things close in their conference games until it a run or two seemingly puts them away.
Game Notes:
- Noah Locke.
- The sniper connected on 7/12 from deep and was 11/17 for the game in which he was essentially on a game-long heat check.
- Locke’s offense performance was super impressive but his work on the defensive end has come leaps and bounds since the beginning of the season.
- Bryce Hopkins played the rate role of Robin in this one but it shouldn’t overshadow his 20 points and 11 rebound performance. You know you’re having a great year when a double-double like that is an afterthought after a good win.
- Hopkins had 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal to his understated performance.
- You can tell he’s playing loose and free when he has a pass like this one…
- Ed Croswell played a very physical game that saw him battling down low with the entire DePaul frontcourt. In doing so, his offensive game took a bit of a hit with the chipiness but Ed still managed to nearly recorded a double-double with 8 points and 9 rebounds.
- Of course, 5 of Croswell’s 9 rebounds were of the offensive variety.
- Devin Carter shot just 3/10 from the field and turned the ball over 4 times but still filled out his stat line with 10 points, a game-high 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and a career-high 5 (!) blocks.
- Carter has to be in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year in the conference. He is by far the best backcourt defender but Kalkbrenner’s ability to block shots and rebound are most likely what stand in his way. Plus, Kalk did win the award last season.
- Alyn Breed got the start once more but took a backseat to Noah Locke’s brilliant performance but was still able to make a difference on the defensive end with 3 steals.
- This dunk by Da’Sean Nelson was something else.
- I’m going with Clifton for the winner of the celebration photo since he never looks that freaking happy.
Next Up, the Friars stay at home against Butler on Wednesday at 8:30 PM on FS1.
The Morning Hangover 