The Big East hoops tradition was alive and well, even for a Thursday quarterfinal matinee--fans packed Madison Square Garden from top to bottom.
Just as it always seems to be since conference realignment, no matter the odds or the round, whenever the Villanova Wildcats and the Providence Friars meet in the Big East Tournament, the crowds are treated to an intense game.
”They’re really well-coached, and Ed’s been there a long time,” Villanova head coach Jay Wright said of the Friars. “I’ve been there. We really know what the other is doing, and we’ve had so many tough games with each other.