In a stunning upset, the Providence Friars turned the basketball world upside down by defeating the No. 6 ranked Marquette Golden Eagles with a final score of 72-57. This marks the third time in the past five seasons that the unranked Friars have emerged victorious against a Marquette team in the Associated Press Top 25. Talk about a David and Goliath moment!
Led by a stellar performance from Devin Carter, who scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, Providence proved that they are a force to be reckoned with. Carter showcased his shooting prowess by sinking five impressive three-pointers, while his teammate, Ticket Gaines, also nailed five shots from beyond the arc, finishing the game with 18 points. The Friars' sharpshooting from downtown ultimately played a significant role in their triumph.
Providence's new head coach, Kim English, couldn't have asked for a better start to his Big East tenure. In his first conference game, he guided his team to an impressive victory against a top-10 opponent. This win against Marquette marks the largest victory margin the Friars have achieved against a top-10 team since their resounding 83-68 triumph over No. 8 Villanova in January 2011. English has undoubtedly made his mark early on in the season.
Marquette's Tyler Kolek, the reigning Big East Player of the Year, put up a valiant effort with 21 points, nine rebounds, and five assists. However, his individual brilliance wasn't enough to propel his team to victory. The Golden Eagles held a five-point lead early on, but Providence quickly seized control of the game, taking the lead for good with just under 12 minutes left in the first half. From there, the Friars never looked back.
As the game progressed, Providence extended their lead with a blistering 10-0 run in the second half, leaving Marquette trailing by a substantial margin. Although the Golden Eagles managed to reduce the deficit to 64-53, they couldn't overcome the Friars' dominance. Two fouls called against Marquette on the same play resulted in four free throws for Josh Oduro. Although he missed the first two, he made the crucial second pair, securing Providence's double-digit lead.
Providence's sharp shooting duo of Gaines and Carter proved to be the dynamic force that propelled their team to victory. At halftime, Gaines had already racked up 12 points, while Carter contributed 11 points and six rebounds. The Friars overcame their slow start, missing their first six three-point attempts, and adjusted their game to emerge triumphant in the end.
It's clear that home-court advantage plays a significant role when it comes to Providence versus Marquette matchups. The Golden Eagles have been unable to snatch a victory in Providence since 2019—a fact that continues to baffle basketball enthusiasts. This includes last year's double-overtime loss by then-No. 24 Marquette to the unranked Friars. Providence managed to topple Marquette in both ranked and unranked matchups in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The Friars clearly have the Golden Eagles' number.
For Marquette's head coach, Shaka Smart, victory continues to elude him in Providence since taking over the Golden Eagles in 2021. Smart's team has suffered two losses this season, both at the hands of formidable Big Ten opponents, including a tough matchup against No. 2 Purdue on November 22. Despite these setbacks, Smart will strive to turn things around and secure a win against Georgetown and former Providence coach Ed Cooley in their upcoming game on Friday night.
As for the victorious Providence Friars, their triumph over a highly ranked Marquette team adds another chapter to their growing legacy of defeating powerhouse opponents. This marks the fifth consecutive season in which they have triumphed over a ranked team, with multiple victories last year and four victories the year before. The Friars are a force to be reckoned with and are showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level.
In light of Marquette guard Chase Ross going down near the end of the first half, Providence claimed a double-digit lead with a 3-pointer before the whistle blew. Ross needed help to leave the court, with a teammate on each arm. Fortunately, Ross returned in the second half, but his team was already dealing with the absence of Stevie Mitchell, who missed his third consecutive game due to a hamstring injury.
Next up for Marquette is a showdown against Georgetown, where they will face former Providence coach Ed Cooley on Friday night. Meanwhile, the Providence Friars will look to build on their momentum when they host Butler on Saturday—a game that promises to be filled with excitement and intensity.
The college basketball season is just heating up, and Tuesday night's remarkable upset guarantees that fans can expect plenty more surprises and thrilling moments as the season progresses. Stay tuned to see if the underdogs continue to defy expectations and create basketball history. The game is far from over, and the unpredictability of the sport keeps us on the edge of our seats. So buckle up, sports enthusiasts, because this is just the start of an incredible journey!
