On the opening night of Big East play, Xavier was able to make a resounding statement to those who might have dismissed their ability to contend for a conference title after struggles against Baylor and Colorado. This was a complete performance against a team that, just a week ago, looked like contenders for an NCAA tournament bid. Now the questions will abound about the fate of both these teams as Providence is left looking like an also ran and Xavier can consider life at the top of the pile in the conference for a few days.
The game started with the teams exchanging buckets early before Xavier’s defense put the clamps on Providence, going 7 and a half minutes without allowing a point.