PROVIDENCE, RI – No. 20 Providence is searching for answers heading into the Big East Tournament.
The Friars flopped in their regular-season finale on Saturday, losing 82-58 to Dre Davis and Seton Hall.
The 24-point margin was the largest home loss in Ed Cooley’s 12-year run as Providence’s coach.
Devin Carter scored 14 points for Providence, which shot 40% from the field and 4 for 23 from 3-point range.
The Friars (21-10, 13-7) lost for the third time in four games — with the lone win in that span coming against last-place Georgetown.
“I didn’t expect a team to play like this, with so much to play for. You have to show up,” Cooley said. “Am I playing the right guys? Am I playing with guys that have desire, desire and passion? Hopefully we can reflect and bounce back. It’s a new season, the Big East Tournament, But it’s a gut check for our guys. We’re not fighting like the team I know we have.”
Davis was 9 for 10 from the field. Femi Odukele had 19 points while Casey Ndefo scored 15 for the Pirates (17-14, 10-10 BIG EAST), who had dropped three in a row.
Al-Amir Dawes finished with 11 points.
Seton Hall shot a season-high 63% from the field.
The Pirates made 10 3-pointers and led by 32 points.
“Our offense was born out of our defense. When our defense is playing at a high level like it was, it makes the offense a lot easier to execute,” Davis said. “I thought everyone was clicking on all cylinders. Everyone who touched the ball was involved. “
