Last modified: Monday, March 9, 2009 2:16 AM EDT Villanova’s Scottie Reynolds shoots over Providence’s Marshon Brooks recently. Big East opponents are averaging 80.4 ppg against the Friars. Friars defensive about NCAA tourney chance BY PETER GOBIS SUN CHRONICLE STAFF PROVIDENCE - Should the Providence College basketball Friars wish to advance at least a round in the Big East Tournament and earn a berth to the NCAA Tournament, outscoring foes will not be the issue. Playing defense will. "It's about how many stops that you make through 40 minutes," said Friar senior guard Jeff Xavier. "We can score well enough to win, but in the tournament, in the postseason, defense is first," said Friar senior guard Weyinimi Efejuku, who was named an honorable mention for the All-Big East team Sunday. The Friars, 10-8 in the Big East, earned the No. 8 seed and will face the winner of Tuesday's first round game between Cincinnati and DePaul, the likelihood being the No. 9 seeded Bearcats prevailing, setting up a noontime game with PC on Wednesday. Twice already the Friars have beaten Cincinnati, by margins of eight and nine points. "I'd rather be playing a team that we've beat two times than lost to twice," said Friar coach Keno Davis. "It's tough to beat a team three times. "They're a strong, physical team. The difference between PC and Cincinnati is small, you can make a case for either." What the Friars are trying to do is make a strong case for an NCAA bid, but unless they play defense, it's not going to happen. Forget about beating No. 1 Pitt and playing in the toughest conference in college basketball. Eight of the Friars past 14 foes have scored 90 points or more. And if the Friars beat either the Bearcats or DePaul, they would meet Louisville. "Matchup are always a big part of that for us," added Davis. "Certain matchups don't favor you. Through the season, we've learned how to play against the top teams. And on a neutral site (Madison Square Garden), the difference isn't that great." The Friars are allowing 76.9 points per game to foes, who are shooting 45 percent. And against Big East foes, the numbers are worse - Big East brethren averaging 80.4 points per game, shooting 45 percent from the floor, 35 percent from three-point land. "When we play top 10 teams, our defense doesn't look so good," said Davis, citing the firepower of Big East foes. "When we don't play top 10 teams, teams that aren't in the NCAA or on the bubble, our defense has been okay. I don't think that we can play at a better level defensively than we did against Pitt." Other than senior forwards Geoff McDermott and Jonathan Kale, the Friars do not have any other bruising frontcourt players, the type that the Big East is noted for. And the Friars have been the antithesis to physically, bruising, in-your-face Big East defensive reputation nationally. "It's hard to stop some people, especially in the postseason," said Efejuku. "There are a lot of teams in the Big East that are bigger and more physical than us. A lot of it is just being tough mentally and physically. "Another thing is that a lot of times is that we'll make the first stop, but teams will then get an offensive rebound and that gives them an extra possession." Truth is the Friars have been outrebounded in 14 games this season, but have won eight of those. But, giving up those extra chances, either on offensive rebounds or turnovers is a big bug-a-boo - 13 Friar foes have scored more than 80 points in a game. "Come tournament time, it's all about defense," added Xavier. "There has to be a sense of urgency, it's win or go home. Teams like Louisville, Pitt, UConn, Villanova all can play lock-down defense - that's how you win. How well that you play defense in the Big East is the key."