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Providence at Villanova: 2020-21 college basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Chris Thedinga

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 29: David Duke #3 of the Providence Friars controls the ball against Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 29, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Providence Friars defeated the Villanova Wildcats 58-54. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 29: David Duke #3 of the Providence Friars controls the ball against Collin Gillespie #2 of the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 29, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Providence Friars defeated the Villanova Wildcats 58-54. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Where: Finneran Pavilion, Villanova

When: Saturday at 2:30 ET on FOX

The #3 Villanova Wildcats host the Providence Friars on Saturday afternoon. The Friars are coming off their best win of the season, toppling #11 Creighton in Omaha. Nate Watson had 29 points (career-high) against Creighton and will have to stay effective for this matchup against one of the nation’s premiere defenses in Villanova.

The Wildcats were able to hold off Seton Hall 76-74 in their first game back from a long pause due to COVID-19 protocol. The 9-1 Wildcats lone loss on the season came in late November at the hands of Virginia Tech.

A main storyline on the Providence side is whether point guard Jared Bynum will be active in this one. Bynum has missed the Friars’ last three games due to a groin injury. Alyn Breed, a freshman, has stepped up nicely in Bynum’s absence and was a major contributor in the win over Creighton. But will Collin Gillespie being the opposing point guard, the Friars will need all hands on deck.

Gillespie and do-it-all forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl combine for over 30 points per game for the Wildcats. Junior guard Caleb Daniels is another perimeter threat, shooting just over 40% from three-point range.

For the Friars, David Duke is the leading points and assists man (19.4, 4.8). Duke is a potential high draft pick in this year’s NBA Draft and plays with an insatiably high motor. Nate Watson gives big men all they can handle down low, at a strong 6’10 260-pound frame.

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Since 2021-13, the Friars have taken three games from Villanova on their home court. This would be an incredible resume booster for a Providence team that finds itself squarely on the bubble. For Villanova, with the teams behind them continuing to lose, winning this could add to the growing space between them and the teams directly below.