Villanova wins the BET with a thrilling 76-66 OT victory over Providence

by Eric Watkins                                                                                            (Photo: © Noah K. Murray | 2018 Mar 10, USA TODAY Sports)

#2 AP, Villanova (30-4) won a thrilling, Big East Tournament Championship game over Providence in overtime by a score of 76-66 to lock up a #1 Seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament and win the B.E.T. for the third time in the last four years and fourth time in program history.  The Garden was jammed and loud in a game that was every bit as exciting a Big East Championship game as any configuration of the conference has produced.

Villanova benefitted from great performances by Tournament MVP, Mikal Bridges (25 points, 3 assists), Jalen Brunson (31 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists), Eric Paschall (7 points, 13 rebounds), and Omari Spellman (9 rebounds, 4 blocks).

The ‘Nova offense was fueled by the 56 combined points from All-Americans Bridges and Brunson.  The Cats’ two stars stepped up to make big play after big play from the opening minutes of the game through the overtime period on a night when Phil Booth and Donte DiVincenzo struggled to get shots to drop.

It was the ‘Nova defense that brought home the bacon.  The Wildcats held Providence to 37.7% shooting from the floor and 26.1% shooting from beyond the arc.  Spellman and Paschall were physical and effective in the lane while the Cats used length, athleticism and grit to match-up on the perimeter and make dribble-drive difficult for the Friars.

Villanova continues to compile impressive win stats:

• The win is the 30th of the season for ‘Nova.  The Cats are only the second program to win 30+ games over four consecutive seasons (with Kansas being the first from 2010 through 2013).
• The win is the 130th for the Cats over the past four seasons.  Only Kentucky, Duke, Kansas and Gonzaga have posted 130+ wins over a four year span.
• The win is the 72nd Big East win (combined regular season and post-season) over the past four seasons.  This sets a new Big East record – breaking the previous record of 71 wins that the Cats racked up from 2013-14 through 2016-17.

Goods:

• Togetherness on defense
• FG defense and 3PFG defense
• 1.17 points per possession

Others:

• Second half scoring struggles allowed Friars to close the gap late in the game

Player notes:

Jalen Brunson (40 Min, 133 ORtg, 12-23 FG, 4-9 3PFG, 3-5 FT, 6 Reb, 31 Points, 4 Assists, 1 Steal, 2 TO)

Brunson was spectacular.  When the Cats needed big buckets it was Brunson and Bridges answering the call time and again.  While tying his career high of 31 points, Brunson passed Villanova legends, Dwayne McClain, Larry Herron, Jason Lawson, and Johnny Jones on the all-time career scoring list while also moving into a tie on the career assist list with former ‘Nova All-American, Kerry Kittles.

Omari Spellman (41 Min, 99 ORtg, 2-7 FG, 0-3 3PFG, 2-2 FT, 6 Points, 9 Rebounds, 0 Assists, 2 Steals, 4 Blocks, 1 TO)

Spellman was a force in the paint.  His rim protection and strength on the boards were crucial to the victory.  He made a key lay-up in overtime as well.

Mikal Bridges (41 Min, 170 ORtg, 9-14 FG, 4-7 3PFG, 3-3 FT, 2 Rebounds, 25 Points, 3 Assists, 1 Steal, 1 TO, 1 Block)

Bridges played excellent basketball at both ends of the floor.  His defense on Cartwright and others, his clutch three-point shooting and his aggressiveness scoring the ball were key elements in the Cats success.  Bridges surpassed the 600 point scoring plateau for the season – making him and his fellow All-American, Jalen Brunson the first Villanova tandem to score 600+ each in the same season.

Donte DiVincenzo (33 Min, 75 ORtg, 2-11 FG, 0-2 3PFG, 2-2 FT, 4 Reb, 6 Points, 3 Assists, 0 Steal, 2 TO, 0 Blocks)

DiVincenzo struggled to make shots but continued to fight for loose balls, rebound, defend and try to contribute on the offensive end with passing and ball-handling.

Eric Paschall (42 Min, 113 ORtg, 3-4 FG, 1-1 3PFG, 0-0 FT, 13 Rebounds, 7 Points, 0 Assists, 3 TO, 0 Steal, 1 Blocks)

Paschall was a difference-maker in so many ways in this game – without having to put up gaudy scoring numbers.  He was a beast on the boards and defended well both on the perimeter and in the lane.  In the overtime, he contributed a huge bucket and plenty of grit and hustle too.

Phil Booth (19 Min, 19 ORtg, 0-5 FG, 0-3 3PFG, 0-0 FT, 0 Points, 2 Reb, 1 Assist, 0 Steals, 0 TOs)

Booth saw his mintes limited in the first half due to foul trouble and the sporadic minutes seemed to contribute in part to his inability to get into the offensive flow of the game and start scoring the ball.  His defense was effective and he contributed some on the galss as well.

Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree (3 Min, 0-0 FG, 1-2 FT, 0 Reb, 1 Points, 0 Assists, 0 Steal, 0 TO, 0 Block)

Cosby-Roundtree tried to make one low post move on the right low block and picked up the foul.  He knocked in one of his two FTs.

Collin Gillespie (6 Min, 1-3 FG, 1-3 3PFG, 4-4 FT, 0 Reb, 7 Points, 4 Assists, 1 TO, 2 Steals)

Gillespie contributed defense and hustle in his limited minutes.