No. 11 Villanova tops No. 9 Providence in Big East showdown
VILLANOVA, Pa. (AP) — Caleb Daniels scored 20 points, Eric Dixon scored 15, Collin Gillespie 14 as No. 11 Villanova beat No. 9 Providence 76-74 in a fantastic Big East matchup on Tuesday night.
The Big East regular-season champion Friars (24-4, 14-3) and Wildcats could not shake the other over the final furious minutes. Providence’s A.J. Reeves hit a 3-pointer from long distance that brought the Friars within 62-60. Justin Moore hit a 3 for Villanova, and that was answered by one from Providence's Jared Bynum.
Shot-for-shot they went down the stretch, a fitting sneak peak of what’s ahead in March.
With Providence trailing by four, Nate Watson picked up his fourth foul with 2:35 left in the game on a charge call that sent furious coach Ed Cooley on the court to argue.
Justin Minaya buried a 3-pointer with 32 seconds left that pulled Providence within 69-68.
The Wildcats (22-7, 15-4) survived Providence's press and sealed the win from the free-throw line.
Bynum scored 19 points for the Friars.
The Friars won their first Big East title without beating Villanova. The Wildcats won two weeks ago in Providence, Rhode Island, and entered this one a 10-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Big East championship tipped toward Providence after the team had three games canceled because of COVID-19 protocols. The Friars had three straight games wiped out in mid-January at Creighton and Seton Hall and against Connecticut. UConn and Seton Hall were both ranked this season.
So, who knows? The home finale for Villanova could have been for the Big East title.
While another Big East title for Villanova coach Jay Wright would have been nice, the true measuring stick for the program is what lies ahead -- note the two national championship banners won on his watch.
The Friars and Wildcats could meet again next week in New York at the Big East Tournament. Those games will mean more for the NCAA tourney, where earning at least a No. 3 seed in the East Regional could keep the Wildcats in line for Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games in Philadelphia.
The Friars trailed by 14 early but showed their championship mettle on the road to open the second half. They hit six straight 3s to start and Noah Horchler buried his fourth of the game to bring Providence within four. Bynum hit a tough basket in the paint off a turnover and followed with a pull-up jumper that tied the game 48-all. Gillespie and Justin Minaya kept the game tied -- and whet the appetite for a potential rematch next week in New York.
Daniels scored eight straight points and Justin Moore hit a 3 for a 62-57 lead that gave the Wildcats just the breathing room they needed down the stretch.
BIG PICTURE
Providence: The Friars are locked into the No. 1 seed in the Big East Tournament and play March 10 against the winner of the No. 8-9 game.
Villanova: Gillespie suffered a torn ligament in his left knee in last season’s home finale and missed both postseason tournaments. He returned for a fifth season and played in his 147th career game. He’s one shy of the school record set by former teammate Phil Booth.
UP NEXT
Providence: Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden.
Villanova: Play Saturday at Butler. Villanova has a 15-5 career mark against the Bulldogs.
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