Who’s Upset Now? Providence Basketball Enjoys Spoiling Brackets …
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The Providence Friars have a long history of being a thorn in the side of college basketball’s big programs. Here’s a look at some of their most memorable upsets.
Who’s upset now?
In a year when there have been more March Madness upsets than ever before, the Providence Friars are enjoying playing the role of spoiler.
With star player Kris Dunn leading the way, the Friars have upset two higher-seeded teams in the NCAA tournament to advance to the Sweet Sixteen
First, Providence knocked off heavy favorite USC in the Round of 64. Then, they followed that up with an even more impressive victory over second-seeded Oklahoma in the Round of 32.
So who’s upset now? It’s certainly not the Friars, who re Playing with house money andloving every minute of it.
Providence basketball
Providence Basketball has long been a source of frustration for basketball fans The Friars are known for their ability to spoil brackets and ruin plans for a perfect NCAA Tournament
This year, Providence is once again a dangerous team that could make a deep run in the tournament. The Friars have a talented group of players, led by senior guard Kris Dunn.
If you’re looking for a team to root against, Providence is probably a good choice. But if you’re looking for an entertaining team to watch the Friars are definitely worth checking out.
Enjoying spoiling brackets
It’s been five years since a 16-seed toppled a 1 in the NCAA tournament but top-ranked overall teams have lost in the first round in back-to-back years.
Providence, the 10th seed in the East Region, spoiled Ohio State’s hopes of a No. 1 seed with a dramatic 75-72 victory in the Opening Round on Friday.
Last year, as a No. 1 seed, Virginia became the first top seed to lose to a 16 when it fell to UMBC.
The Friars (21-12) had to rally from an 11-point deficit against the Buckeyes (25-9) and did so behind Alpha Diallo, who scored 29 points.
Diallo hit two Free throws with 24 seconds left for a 74-72 lead and then blocked C.J. Jackson’s jumper with 5 seconds to go as Providence held on for its first tournament win since 2016.
The joy of being an underdog
March Madness is in Full Swing and there are always a few Cinderella teams that come out of nowhere to spoil everyone’s bracket. This year, one of those teams is the Providence Friars
As a lower seed (#9), Providence was not expected to make it very far in the tournament. But they have already beaten two higher-seeded teams (#8 Oklahoma and #1 Duke) and they’re still going strong.
For the players and fans of Providence, this is a huge upset and a sweet moment of vindication. After being underestimated all season, they are now getting to show the world what they’re made of.
It’s always enjoyable to root for the underdog, and Providence is definitely giving everyone something to cheer for.
Beating the odds
“Beating the odds” is a phrase that’s often used in sports, but it takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to the NCAA tournament
For the past few years, Providence College has been one of the darlings of the tournament, upsetting higher-seeded teams and making deep runs into the brackets.
This year, the Friars are once again a No. 10 seed, and they’ll be looking to pull off another upset when they take on No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round on Friday.
Providence isn’t exactly a household name when it comes to college basketball but the Friars have made a name for themselves in recent years by pulling off upsets in the NCAA tournament
In 2016, Providence was a No. 9 seed when they upset No. 8 USC in the first round. In 2017, they were a No. 11 seed when they knocked off No. 6 Creighton in the first round. And last year, they were a No. 10 seed when they beat No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round.
So what is it about Providence that makes them such a tough out in the NCAA Tournament?
For one thing, the Friars are coached by Ed Cooley, who is known for his ability to prepare his team for big games. Cooley has been at Providence since 2011, and he has led the Friars to six NCAA Tournament appearances in that time.
In addition to Cooley’s coaching prowess, Providence also has a Number of players who are capable of stepping up and making big plays in big moments. Senior guard Alpha Diallo is one of those players, and he will likely be counted on to lead the way again this year if Providence is going to make another deep run into the tournament brackets
Pulling off the impossible
Led by Head Coach Ed Cooley, the Providence Friars have developed a reputation for being a giant killer in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament In recent years the Friars have pulled off huge upsets in the tournament as a double-digit seed. In 2014, Providence upset #5 North Carolina as a #11 seed. In 2016, Providence again pulled off an upset as a #9 seed, this time defeated #1 overall seed University of Southern California
The Friars look to continue their tradition of spoiling brackets in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament As a #10 seed, Providence will take on #7 Texas A&M in the first round on Friday, March 16th. Can the Friars pull off another upset? Stay tuned to find out!
The sweet taste of victory
The Providence Friars have long been a thorn in the side of college basketball fans across the country. The small, private school from Rhode Island has a habit of upsetting higher-ranked teams in the NCAA Tournament much to the chagrin of bracketologists everywhere.
This year is no different, as the Friars stunned top-seeded University of Virginia in the Round of 32 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen It was a classic Providence upset, as a double-digit underdog took down a powerhouse program.
Providence has now won four NCAA tournament games as a double-digit underdog since 1997. That’s the most such victories by any team in that span.
So if you’re filling out your bracket this year, beware of the Friars. They may not be the most talented team in the field, but they know how to win when it matters most.
Defying the odds
In basketball, as in life, there are always going to be underdogs. And every year, there are always going to be Cinderella stories of unlikely teams making a run in the NCAA Tournament
This year’s tournament is no different, with a number of lower-seeded teams pulling off upsets in the first few rounds. But perhaps no team has been more unexpected than the Providence Friars, who have now won two games in a row as a No. 10 seed.
First, they upset No. 7 Texas A&M in the first round. Then, on Sunday night they did it again, this time taking down No. 2 seed Wisconsin to advance to the Sweet Sixteen.
It’s been an improbable run for Providence, who were not even sure if they would make the tournament just a few weeks ago. But now, they find themselves one of the last 16 teams standing. And they’re not done yet.
Overcoming the odds
Underdogs have always had a special place in sports. We love to root for the team that isn’t supposed to win, the one that has to fight harder and overcome greater odds.
That’s why we love when a Cinderella team comes along and upsets a powerhouse in the NCAA Tournament It’s the ultimate David vs. Goliath story, and it happens every year.
This year, it was Providence that played the role of giant slayer. The Friars entered the tournament as a 10 seed, but upset Texas A&M in the first round and Ohio State in the second round to make it to the Sweet 16.
Providence wasn’t done there, though. The Friars then took down top-seeded Gonzaga in the West Region semifinals to advance to the Elite Eight.
In doing so, Providence ruined a lot of people’s brackets. But that’s part of what makes March Madness so great. It’s impossible to predict what’s going to happen next, and that’s what makes it must-see TV.
Triumph in the face of adversity
Providence College’s basketball team has had a tough season. They’ve been plagued by injuries, including a season-ending one to their best player, and they’ve been picked to finish near the bottom of their conference. But despite all of that, they’ve managed to put together a strong season and are currently in the thick of the NCAA tournament
And while their success may not be enough to save their coach’s job (he’s reportedly on the hot seat), it has been enough to spoil the brackets of many a fan. In fact, Providence has already knocked out two higher-seeded teams in the tournament and is looking like a dangerous team that could make a run deep into March Madness
So if you’re one of those fans whose bracket has been busted by the Friars, don’t be too upset. After all, they’re just happy to be here and playing basketball