Tyler Kolek’s absence may have made it more difficult for Marquette.
However, that did not prevent the third-seeded Golden Eagles from returning to the championship game of the Big East Tournament.
Last year’s champions held off No. 7 Providence 79-68 at The Garden on Friday night to earn a spot in the finals against No. 1 Connecticut.
providence. Robert Deutsch – USA TODAY Sports
“We went through some adversity and our players didn’t blink,” coach Shaka Smart said. “Obviously, tomorrow is going to be a hell of a challenge for us. I think the biggest thing is doubling down on being the best version of ourselves.”
Cam Jones, who was cut from the league’s postseason teams, took center stage.
In addition to his team-high 23 points, he recorded 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, the most points of the game.
With a 15-point lead cut to two, Jones scored inside.
His driving layup with 1:34 remaining increased the lead to six points.
Kolek missed the final three games of the regular season with a torticollis injury and has not been medically cleared to return. Marquette lost two of those games, but they’ve survived so far at MSG without Kolek.
“First of all, the first thing I said in the locker room was he asked, ‘How do you feel about playing tomorrow?'” Smart said, referring to Kolek, who was named first team All-Big East. .
Marquette, without the nation’s leader in assists, defeated No. 6 Villanova in overtime on Thursday and took control until Devin Carter stormed Providence.
It wasn’t enough. The Golden Eagles didn’t break down.
Oso Ighodalo had 20 points for Marquette (25-8) and David Joplin added 12 points. Carter had 27 points for Providence (21-13), which many bracketologists believed was a must-win game to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Marquette is expected to be a 2nd or 3rd seed.
“With this group, we played five games without Tyler.” [Kolek]” Smart said. “I’m really proud of how our group competed and found ways to win games.”
