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Friars Answer Questions Against USC

Dunn and Bentil vs USC

They’ll most likely never admit it publicly, but how could they ignore it?

For anyone on this roster not named Kris Dunn or Ben Bentil… well, they’ve pretty much been bunched into a group not-so-affectionately, and somewhat dismissively, known as “the other guys.”

At the beginning of the season questions surrounded who, if anyone, could emerge alongside Dunn.

Once Bentil established himself into a budding star in his own right, the narrative turned to how PC’s two stars simply did not have enough around them to make any noise come March.

How ironic then, that during Providence’s biggest game of the season not only did one of the “others” free himself for the game winning shot in the closing seconds, but he was the Friars’ most consistent player throughout their thrilling 70-69 victory over USC.

Bentil was hot early, scoring 13 of his team high 19 points in the first half, but the Trojan defense tightened on the big man, and he finished just 7-21 from the field.

Dunn battled foul trouble throughout, sitting the final eight minutes of the first half and playing just 27 minutes in total.

With Bentil struggling to find his stroke, and Dunn on the bench with four fouls, Rodney Bullock hit a monstrous 3 pointer to give PC a one point lead with under six minutes to play.

Providence looked to be in trouble a minute earlier. Their defense was springing leaks, Dunn picked up his fourth foul around the seven minute mark, and USC led 60-56 with possession of the ball.

Freshman Drew Edwards connected on a jumper to pull PC to within two, a shot that preceded Bullock’s transition 3 to put his team ahead by a point.

Six minutes later Ed Cooley put the ball in the hands of Edwards, trusting a freshman to make the proper pass with his team down a point and the season on the line with three seconds remaining.

Edwards let the play progress and found Bullock for the layup that won the game and sent Friartown into hysterics.

The shot capped a huge night for Bullock (his second big game in a row following a hot shooting performance against Villanova in the Big East Tournament Semifinals). 16 points, 10 rebounds, 40 minutes played, two steals, two blocks, and the poise to finish with a second to go to keep this season alive for at least two more days.

Bullock took just 11 shots, but made six. He shot four 3 pointers and made two of them. He hit both of his three throws and did not turn the ball over once.

After the game Cooley reflected on Bullock’s journey to get to this point — the suspension that cost him his first season, the knee injury that kept him out a year ago, and an up and down 2015-16 on the court.

Bullock was just one of a few Friars who answered questions on this night.

Cooley got his first career NCAA Tournament win.

The program got its first since 1997.

Compton, CA native Kyron Cartwright came out on top against a program that overlooked him three years ago.

And then there’s Dunn.

Expectations for him reached an almost impossible high after Providence defeated Arizona in November. CBS named him the nation’s best player before the season, all major publications ran features on him, and he completely dominated what was a top 10 Arizona team in a come-from-behind victory in California.

Like much of this season, Thursday night was not perfect for Dunn, but he made critical plays that could go forgotten in the aftermath of a wild finish.

He connected on four 3 pointers, most notably with 1:27 on the clock and the Friars down 3.

Dunn kept PC close by nailing a jumper with just over three minutes to play (to make it 66-63 USC) and when it appeared as though the Trojans were pulling away in the final minutes he went to work — first coming up with a steal, weaving through the defense, and setting Bentil up for a slam to make it a three point game with 2:16 to go.

The game’s next basket was his 3 pointer 50 seconds later to tie it.

Like much of their season, Providence’s victory over USC came with its highs and lows (Cooley said afterwards he did not think his team played well).

There were times when PC looked lost defensively, but they held the Trojans without a field goal over the final four minutes.

Dunn was taken out of the game for large chunks of this one with foul issues, but made critical plays down the stretch.

And when USC’s collective knees began to knock at the free throw line late, Cooley’s group took advantage and provided Friartown with a moment they had been waiting for since 1997.

Another question answered and another step forward for this program.

Twitter: @Kevin_Farrahar

Email: kevin.farrahar@friarbasketball.com

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