#4 Providence vs. #8 Seton Hall
Seton Hall was supposed to have all the swagger in the world after a thrilling buzzer beater victory over Villanova on Thursday. Friday’s game vs Providence saw a very meek Pirates team take the court. The proverbial air seemingly gone from their tires as they played catch up against the Providence Friars, who came ready to play hard.
It’s been a long time coming for Providence, who hasn’t even played in the NCAA Tournament in a decade. The Friars had an answer for every comeback Seton Hall tried, in vain, to launch. LaDontae Henton was he star from his team, racking up 26 points and 14 rebounds. The early foul trouble of Eugene Teague was a factor which Providence took much advantage of. Now They are poised for the Finals where they will square off against Creighton on the big stage of Madison Square Garden.
Providence 80
Seton Hall 74
#2 Creighton vs. #3 Xavier
Creighton is in unchartered terriroty as they’ve reached the Big East Tournament Finals their first year in the conference–they’re not in Omaha anymore. Of course the star of the night for Creighton was Doug McDermott who continued to be unstoppable as he dropped 32 points on an outmatched Xavier team.
It seemed all too approriate that everything would click for Creighton as they pushed toward their bid for a spot in the Finals Saturday night. Their ticket has been punched and if they continue to play at as high a level as they have this is a team that can make a good run at destiny. Their run in the Big East Tournament in the bright lights of New York City hasn’t intimidated them in the slightest way.
Creighton 86
Xavier 78