When you get two powerhouses like Providence and UConn going at it in the first round of the Big East Tournament, you know the conference is stacked. But that's what's on tap Thursday after as the 4th seeded UConn Huskies take on the 5th seeded Providence Friars. The Huskies, who are ranked 11th in the nation, are 24-7 overall and 13-7 in the Big East while Providence is 21-10 overall and 13-7 in the Big East. These foes split two games this season, with each winning and covering at home. Tipoff is at 2:30 p.m. at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
If the UConn Huskies are peaking at the right time, the Providence Friars are trough-ing at the wrong time. They finished the regular season with 2 home losses — to Xavier and Seton Hall — and this is a team that had not lost at home all year. Further, they have lost 3 of their last 4, including an embarrassing 87-69 beatdown at UConn back on February 22. But that loss was not more embarrassing than their season ending loss last Saturday to Seton Hall, who pounded them 82-58 in their own building, in front of their home fans.
Bryce Hopkins on the @BIGEASTMBB Tournament. pic.twitter.com/RC0gxQsIH4
— Providence MBB (@PCFriarsmbb) March 6, 2023
Seton Hall was on fire, shooting 62% from the floor and Providence was just off, shooting 40% from the floor and going 4 of 23 from three point range. It was an unsatisfying end to an otherwise good season. The Friars rank 128th in adjusted offensive efficiency and average 78.5 points per game, which ranks 36th in the nation. They are also a top 25 rebounding team. Defensively, they allow 71.3 points per game and rank 106th in defensive efficiency. Bryce Hopkins leads the team with 16.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game while Ed Croswell averages 13.4 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
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