Sabel's Haus

Freshman point guard Cashmere Wright picked the best possible time to bust out of his season-long scoring funk in UC's 92-88 win over Providence Saturday night.

Wright was 9-11 from the field including 3-4 from beyond the arc on his way to 24 points. He also didn't turn the ball over and added five assists and three steals which head coach Mick Cronin said was equally as impressive as his point total.

Providence proved their place as one of the best offensive teams in the Big East despite their 12-9 record. Friars guard Sharaud Curry actually outscored Wright with 27 points but was far less efficient shooting 9-21 from the field.

It wasn't a perfect night offensively for the Cats even though five players posted double-digit point totals. Senior guard Deonta Vaughn scored 12 but was just 3-8 shooting and 1-6 from deep.

Vaughn wasn't the weakest link either. The Cats nearly cost themselves the game shooting 20-41 from the free-throw line. Earlier in the year, free-throw shooting cost the Bearcats at least one game but of late, they haven't negatively affected any games.

But 16 points on 6-9 shooting including 3-3 from deep from Rashad Bishop helped put the Cats over the hump. Bishop has been solid all year for the Cats and, in my opinion, is the most consistent player on the team.

Wright stole the night though and it couldn't have come at a better time. His play won't just be important for the stretch run of the season but for the future of UC basketball.

Vaughn (senior) and probably freshman Lance Stephenson (12 points, 9 rebounds against Providence) will not be back next season so it's a big question mark as to who will carry the scoring load next year.

Wright has shown flashes of being able to do that but, as most would admit, he has a long way to go. He has shown no consistency this year but if he continues on the path of the last two games, he can eventually emerge as the top scorer.

Wright's play in the last nine games of the season could be a huge boost too. UC is 14-7 and they will have at least a tenth game with the Big East tournament. Five of their final nine opponents are ranked in the top 25 and five of those final nine are also on the road. Villanova and Syracuse will be the only two home games of those five against the top 25. Very confusing, I know, but basically UC has an extremely hard schedule down the stretch.

UC heads to Notre Dame Thursday for their second date with the Irish this season. The Cats clipped Notre Dame by two points earlier this season at Fifth Third Arena and quite frankly, UC big-man Yancy Gates has owned two-time Big East Player of the Year Luke Harongody. Harongody still managed 14 points in the first meeting but was just 5-20 shooting from the field.

Gates did a great job of forcing Harongody into a lot of jump shots that he usually wouldn't take. This will be their final meeting in college basketball so it's definitely a match up to watch closely. Game tips at 9 p.m. Thursday.