MBB Battles Providence in BIG EAST Semifinals

March 14, 2014

NEW YORK - Despite controlling much of the game and weathering an extended run from top-seeded Villanova in the second half, the Seton Hall men's basketball team found itself in possession, down 63-62 with just over three seconds to go. Playing in just his second BIG EAST Tournament game, sophomore Sterling Gibbs (Scotch Plains, N.J.) took the inbound pass; measured up his defender and drained a step back jumper that evoked Garden memories of Kemba Walker while sending reverberations throughout the college basketball world.

With the Pirates' (17-16) eyes still set on bringing home the school's third conference tournament title, the page turns to a semifinal showdown with fourth-seeded Providence. The Hall will continue its quest for a crown at the 2014 BIG EAST Tournament Presented by NEW YORK LIFE when the two teams tip-off at 7 p.m. on Friday. The game will be the first of a BIG EAST doubleheader on FOX Sports 1 while Seton Hall's radio team of Gary Cohen and Dave Popkin can be heard on 970 AM (WNYM) and the Pirate Sports Network on SHUPirates.com. A national audio broadcast will be available on Westwood One with Kevin Kugler and John Thompson, as well as on Sirius channel 93 and XM Channel 191.

Thursday's win was a historic one. The victory was the first for Seton Hall over a squad rated among the top-three in the nation and marked the first time that the Pirates have knocked off the #1 seed at the BIG EAST Tournament.

The reality of tournament play however is that time marches on and moments are by definition, fleeting. The Hall faces a stiff test in a Friars squad that took another step towards the NCAA Tournament by bouncing #5 St. John's on its home floor with a 79-74 triumph. Seton Hall and Providence will square off for the third time after splitting a pair of regular season meetings, with each team winning on the other's home floor.

Gibbs tallied 15 points off the bench and helped seal the win from the line in the closing seconds of double overtime as the Pirates emerged with a hard-fought 81-80 victory in what was the BIG EAST opener for both programs (Dec. 31). The victory was one of only two for The Hall in seven games that were decided by one point during the regular season, but head coach Kevin Willard's squad has found a way to close out two more one-point wins in the last 48 hours.

In the rematch, Gibbs recorded a team-high 20 points but Bryce Cotton countered with 24 and four Providence starters finished in double-figures as the Friars registered a 74-69 victory at the Prudential Center (Feb. 28). Center Eugene Teague (Vineland, N.J.) who has posted consecutive double-doubles to start the week; torched the Friars for 17 points and 12 rebounds after being forced out of the first meeting with a concussion.

Teague has been the impetus behind Seton Hall's first semifinal run since 2003, converting 13-of-19 (.684) field goal attempts and grabbing a total of 23 boards. The Pirates' 3-point defense has also been a major factor as Butler and Villanova combined to shoot 6-of-37 (.162) from behind the line. Despite two tight matchups that have featured 18 ties and 17 lead changes, Seton Hall's perimeter defense has been consistent against the Friars, limiting Providence to a total of 8-of-31 (.258) from deep.

Friday's matchup will mark the eighth time these two original BIG EAST members have met at the conference tournament and the third in the last five years. Seton Hall has built a 5-2 advantage over Providence in those meeting by winning four-straight dating back to 1985, including a 79-47 victory in the 2012 first round that was Kevin Willard's first postseason win at The Hall.

The Pirates are 2-5 all-time in semifinal games, but went on to climb to the summit following each win, taking home BIG EAST titles in 1991 and 1993.