Providence keeps NCAA tournament hopes alive and advances to Big East semifinals

Providence used a complete team effort to upset 8th-ranked Creighton, 78-73, in the Big East Quarterfinals. The Friars now get ready to play Marquette Friday night for a chance to advance to the Big East Finals.

Providence squandered a 13-point lead in the first half, but survived a back-and-forth second half, thanks in large part to a perfect 14-of-14 from the free throw line. Creighton also shot extremely well from the free throw line – hitting their first 20 free throws – but missed three crucial free throws in a row in the closing minutes of the game. Both teams combined to hit their first thirty free throws. 

Newly minted Big East Player of the Year Devin Carter did what he usually does – fill up the stat sheet. The 6’3” guard played all 40 minutes and finished with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists. He also rose high for an amazing clean block on 7-foot-1 Creighton center, Ryan Kalkbrenner. Kalkbrenner led the Blue Jays with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 blocks while also playing the full 40 minutes.

But Carter had help as his teammates took turns dominating stretches of the game. It could easily be argued that sophomore point guard, Jayden Pierre, was Providence’s MVP of the game. Pierre weaved his way around and under Kalkbrenner for some nifty layups and hit a huge three-pointer in the second half. Pierre finished with 15 points and 7 assists in what could be considered the best game of his collegiate career.

Josh Oduro was his normal consistent self despite flirting with foul trouble all night. He had a couple key short distant bank shots late in the game which sealed the victory. Oduro finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds.

Freshman Rich Barron got the Friars off to a hot start in the second half when he scored eight points, including two three-pointers, in the first two minutes coming out of halftime. He also stole the ball from Kalkbrenner in the post with 24 seconds left to end any hopes Creighton had of pulling out a victory.

Barron could be the wildcard in determining how long the Friars’ season extends. Barron seems poised to take over as the next star scorer once Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter’s Providence careers are over. He is shooting a very respectable 43% from three this year. Keep in mind he is only a freshman. At 6-foot-5, 220 pounds, he also has the body to compete in the Big East, and he will only get stronger.

Corey Floyd Jr. also had his best game of the year. The 23% three-point shooter hit back-to-back three pointers early in the game which sparked the Friars’ run that led to their 13-point lead. Floyd also went up high to knock away a lob near the basket intended for Kalkbrenner near the end of the game that was pivotal. Floyd has been a disappointment this year after a promising freshman year which saw him shoot 42% from three-point range.

Even freshman Garwey Dual contributed in limited minutes. Dual has exhibited impressive, quick dribbling skills and high energy all year. Unfortunately, at times Dual plays with too much energy and plays out of control. Thursday night he was a menace and very active under the boards, going 3-for-3 from the field.

Coach Kim English was fired up before, during, and after the game. He got a technical early in the game and had to be restrained by his assistants as he argued a foul call on Devin Carter blocking a three-pointer. English was also seen chest bumping his players in the final minute of the game.

It has been a remarkable first year for English as Providence's head coach. All seemed lost when their star player, Bryce Hopkins, was lost for the season in December. Again, their hopes for the NCAA tournament seemed dashed when Providence lost the last three of four games of the regular season. But there is something about Madison Square Garden that brings out the best in the Friars. They split the two regular season games with Marquette. Marquette may be without their best player and Cumberland, Rhode Island native, Tyler Kolek, on Friday night which would help the Friars' chances immensely.