Big East Basketball: Providence earns much-needed win over Creighton

In a hard fought Big East basketball showdown, Ben Bentil led the Friars to a critical win over Creighton.

At 8-8 in Big East play and their NCAA Tournament hopes dangling at the end of a thread, the Providence Friars needed a win in the worst way.

Ben Bentil came up big down the stretch and Kris Dunn looked like his old self on Senior Night as the Friars downed the Creighton Blue Jays, 70-66, at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on Wednesday night.

Coming into the night, the Friars lost five out of six games with the leading scorer in the Big East, Bentil, dealing with an ankle injury and Dunn, one of the most talented players in the nation, suffering from an illness. There was real concern (and there still may be if they lose to St. John’s on Saturday) that Ed Cooley’s squad would miss the Big Dance, but they responded in a big way against a team that was trying to launch themselves onto the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Even though the Friars didn’t play their best game, falling behind by eight points at one point in the second half, they grinded, rode their two stars and used excellent ball security (seven turnovers) to go one game above .500 in conference play.

1-2 punch

Dunn and Bentil may be the best 1-2 punch in the entire country and they proved (again) how valuable they truly are on Wednesday.

Dunn finished with 17 points, six rebounds and six assists while he shot 5-of-12 from the field, 6-of-6 from the free throw line and only had one turnover. The junior guard looked more like the player we saw earlier in the season as he was attacking, had some bounce in his step and was delivering beautiful passes in the first half. He will have to stay out of foul trouble and shoot the ball more efficiently moving forward, but it’s nice to see one of the best point guards in the country playing good basketball again.

Mar 2, 2016; Providence, RI, USA; Creighton Bluejays guard James Milliken (23) shoots the ball against Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) during the second half at Dunkin Donuts Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Meanwhile, Bentil was a monster in the clutch. He scored 27 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and scored six points in the final three minutes. Bentil’s three with 1:20 remaining put the Friars up six and was essentially the dagger.

One thing that is concerning for Providence is the lack of help Dunn and Bentil have received on a nightly basis. This is not exactly breaking news but Rodney Bullock (three points on 1-of-7 shooting) has to play better and Jalen Lindsey (13 points) has to play inspired basketball more consistently.

The Friars are capable of making a long run in the Big Dance but they will need all hands on deck. It can’t just be the 1-2 punch of Dunn and Bentil.

Attack Attack Attack

The Friars are not exactly a dangerous three point shooting club. They shot 17 percent from downtown against the Jays and have a percentage of 32 on the season.

Opponents are capable of zoning the Friars and double teaming Dunn when they get a chance, but when Providence is on the attack, it’s not easy to slow them down. Dunn can get to the basket at will, Bentil will overpower you and of course, Bullock has had his bright moments.

When the Friars took the ball at the Creighton big men, they had clear success. Geoffrey Groselle and Toby Hegner had issues with fouls throughout the game and when they were off the floor this freed up the lane for Dunn and gave Providence an advantage on the boards.

The Power of Mo Watson

The Blue Jays have become a much better team than many expected. They knocked off Xavier at home, played Providence tough twice and currently sit sixth in the Big East standings. They pass the eye test when it comes to NCAA Tournament teams.

But if Maurice Watson Jr. isn’t healthy, this is a unit that can lose to anyone. Watson is the heart and soul of the Blue Jays offense as he penetrates the lane, controls the floor with his speed and high IQ, and makes everyone around him better.

Watson suffered a groin injury in the first half on Wednesday and was never the same. He was limping up and down the floor and clearly was zapped of his dangerous speed. Not having Watson at 100 percent was not the sole reason the Blue Jays lost (Bentil and Dunn were too good), but it is an injury that Greg McDermott’s team cannot afford to linger into this weekend’s game versus Xavier.

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The Jays are likely going to need to knock off the Musketeers and make a long Big East Tournament run to have any chance at the Big Dance.

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