Friars falter as Seton Hall upsets No. 12 Providence

Seton Hall Athletics/USA TodayThe Seton Hall men’s basketball team pulled off a major upset on Providence on Saturday afternoon, besting the nation’s No. 12-ranked squad, 81-72.

It was a surprise to see the Dunkin Donuts Center sold out with the New England Patriots playing their divisional-round playoff game just 25 miles away. Instead of watching the Pats beat the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-20, Providence fans witnessed a Friar falter at the hands of Seton Hall, who came away with its biggest win of the year after embarking on the 190-mile drive south.

“We knew this was going to be a hard-fought game and coach told us to be aggressive on the offensive end,” said graduate guard Derrick Gordon,…