It's an NCAA tournament game; additional motivation is not supposed to be required. The basketball world is watching. One loss and your season is kaput.
But forgive Providence sophomore Kyron Cartwright if he plays with added incentive Thursday when the Friars meet USC in a first-round game in Raleigh, N.C.
Cartwright starred at Compton High and had dreams of playing local college ball, then had to travel nearly 3,000 miles to land at a respected Division I program where he felt comfortable and wanted.
Now Providence's sixth man, a point guard, Cartwright has the opportunity to play against several old friends.