Jay Wright knows firsthand just how tough Providence can be, and he pities the team that draws the Friars in the NCAA Tournament.
Wright’s Villanova Wildcats defeated Providence 76-66 in overtime on Saturday night to win the Big East Tournament. After the game, Wright praised Providence.
“All the credit to Providence and Ed Cooley. They’re so difficult to play against. They’re going to be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament because you can’t score on them,” Wright said in a postgame interview on FS1. “I just have so much respect for them, and our players do too.”
Indeed, Providence and Villanova split during conference play, so the Friars were one of the four teams to hand the Wildcats a loss this season. Providence also beat Xavier two out of three games, so they definitely have the potential to topple giants. They’re a team to watch out for in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
