-
Alaina GetzenbergESPN
BUFFALO, NY – Ed Cooley has been waiting his whole life for this moment.
For the first time since 1997, the Providence Friars advanced to the Sweet 16 through a dominant 79-51 victory over No. 12 Richmond Spiders in the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
Despite his team holding an entire game lead, Cooley said it did not occur to him that the Friars would advance until just before the last buzzer.
“I was trying to grasp the moment, and Jeff Battle, who is our associate head coach, and is amazing, he said, ‘Coach, this is a wrap.’ At about 1:47, I still thought we were going to lose, and he made me laugh when he said that, “Cooley said.” I just can not tell you how grateful I feel for our players, our college , our city. It’s hard to get to this point. We’re just a little school that everyone says, “Oh, it’s Providence. Well, Providence is in the damn building.
No. The regular season Big East champions were beaten by Creighton in the semifinals, 85-58.
But after a 66-57 victory over dangerous No. 13 South Dakota State for a starting NCAA tournament, Providence put together their best performance of the season in the effort against 12-seed spiders (24-13). The 28-point margin was the worst NCAA tournament win in Providence history – and the largest.
“I’m just speechless. I really am,” Cooley said. “To sit here with these gentlemen and to sacrifice in the street, where doubt just continues to run through the veins of those who do not believe or believe, we are sitting here. We are still here, and it is a Testament. On her emotional maturity, and her physical talent that was doubted. “
Richmond was held to 1-of-22 on 3-pointers with the team’s top scorers – Tyler Burton and Grant Golden – held on to a combined 15 points on 5-of-16 shots. Six and a half minutes into the second half, Burton and five-year guard Jacob Gilyard had combined for just three points.
Both schools scored exactly 22 3-pointers, but the Friars outscored the Spiders with 33 points on those shots.
Providence senior striker Noah Horchler had a double-double in the game, finishing with 16 points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
“Coach called my number today, and I think in a few days you’ll be entering like that,” Horchler said. “Just trust the coach, and he trusts me every day, and shots have fallen today.”
Richmond was held to a season-low 51 points.
This season marks the Friars sixth NCAA tournament appearance under Cooley. Providence lost in the second round of the tournament in three straight seasons (2014-16).
But in 2022, an impressive and historic season remains alive. The victory was Providence’s 27th of the season, tied with the 1972-73 team that advanced to the Final Four for the second most wins in a single season in team history. Two of the Friars’ five losses this season came against Villanova.
“I’m very excited about the Big East to have a member in that area. I’m thinking of my kids. I’m thinking of traveling,” Cooley said. “I think of our employees. These are things you dream about. This is what March Madness is all about.
“As a kid, you used to say, one day when I grow up. Well, I’ve grown up, and I’m here. I’m very, very emotional, and – wow. I’m just very, very grateful, very grateful, very appreciative.
As the game came to an end, Providence fans began singing “We Want Kansas,” with the No. 1 Jayhawks for the Friars.
As for the doubts, Providence is used to hearing it continue as its impressive season.
“The last time I checked, we were not that bad,” Cooley said. “They can not do that. They can not do that. I am a person who appreciates what I have and not what I do not have. I am a person who appreciates an opportunity. Every time there are 40 minutes in a game, there is a 94 foot chance.
Add Comment