Providence pulled off a monumental upset at Amica Mutual Pavilion, taking down Creighton 93-88 in a game that will send shockwaves through the college basketball landscape. The Friars, ranked 95th in the net rankings, handed the 61st-ranked Bluejays a devastating loss, one that will undoubtedly impact their tournament chances. This was no ordinary win for Providence, as they overcame a Creighton team that was heavily favored to come out on top.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets and playing tenacious defense. At halftime, Providence held a slim 45-46 lead, setting the stage for a thrilling second half. The Friars came out firing, with Stefan Vaaks leading the charge. The Providence guard poured in 24 points and dished out 7 assists, including several crucial buckets late. Vaaks was supported by a strong performance from Jamier Jones, who chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds, and Oswin Erhunmwunse, who added 14 points and 13 rebounds.
Creighton, meanwhile, was paced by Jasen Green, who scored a game-high 26 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Green was unstoppable at times, but ultimately couldn't overcome the balanced attack of the Friars. Josh Dix and Blake Harper also contributed to the Bluejays' cause, scoring 17 and 16 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide.
The loss is a significant blow to Creighton's tournament hopes, as they fall to 12-9 on the season. The Bluejays had been trending upwards, but this setback will undoubtedly drop them in the rankings. On the other hand, Providence's win is a massive boost to their resume, as they improve to 9-12. This was a Quadrant 2 win for the Friars, and one that will certainly catch the attention of the selection committee.
The fact that this was a Quadrant 2 game for both teams only adds to the significance of the upset. Creighton, as the higher-ranked team, was expected to win, but Providence had other plans. The Friars' victory will be a key talking point when discussing their tournament chances, and it's a win that will undoubtedly be highlighted on their resume.
In the end, Providence's upset win over Creighton will be remembered as one of the biggest surprises of the season. The Friars' ability to take down a top-100 team will give them a much-needed confidence boost, and they'll look to build on this momentum as they navigate the rest of their schedule. As for Creighton, they'll need to regroup and refocus, as they can't afford to drop many more games if they hope to make a deep tournament run. The loss will undoubtedly impact their tournament chances, but the Bluejays still have time to recover and make a push for the postseason.