Villanova vs. Providence: 3 keys to the Big East title game

The mental state of the Friars

Getting a win over Xavier, a team who is in contention for a one seed did wonders for the team’s at-large chances. Coming into the game, our Bracketology projections had the Friars as a 10 seed. So even with a loss, Providence was likely in the NCAA Tournament anyway, but now doesn’t have to worry about anything come Selection Sunday.

But the win also involved another extra five minutes, in an emotional game nonetheless. For teams already playing in back-to-back games, having to do it in overtime can kill a team’s energy.

Meanwhile, Villanova barely cracked a sweat in their two games to get to the finals, and with how they operate, the Wildcats don’t have to expend too much energy individually anyways. Providence has a bench as well, but the core players have played over 40 minutes in the last 48 hours.

It’s going to be interesting to see how the Friars come out in the title game. One one hand, the upperclassmen-filled roster be fired up with a chance to win a Big East title. But they also could be thinking that they secured their ticket to the Big Dance, and a loss wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Next: Breakdown of the 2018 Big East Tournament

I think the veterans will come out with good effort, but the tired legs will show early on, with Villanova taking an early lead and never looking back to the Big East Championship.

Prediction: Villanova 83 – Providence 72