CINCINNATI — Throughout a run of plenty of good nights in the Big East and NCAA Tournament berths for five straight seasons, the Providence Friars always seemed to own a trump card.
In college basketball that difference maker is a best player or three, and almost always a seasoned upperclassman. Even in a One-and-Done hoop world, veterans from Bryce Cotton to LaDontae Henton, Kris Dunn to Kyron Cartwright, allowed Ed Cooley to lean on a key performer in the final minutes of conference games that all seem to be decided in the waning moments.
This season has been different.