Providence College is among the hottest teams in NCAA basketball, and Richmonder Maliek White is a key reason why.

White, a senior guard from Richmond’s George Wythe High School, has been a catalyst for the Friars in a remarkable month of upsets.

Since Feb. 1, the Big East Conference school has felled five Associated Press Top 25 teams.

In Providence’s nationally televised 58-54 victory last Saturday at No. 12 Villanova, White had 15 points in 29 minutes coming off the bench for Coach Ed Cooley.

The win improved Providence College’s record to 17-12, while providing a huge boost to the Friars’ NCAA at-large chances.

Earlier last month, the Friars upset No. 16 Butler University, No. 21 Creighton University, No. 10 Seton Hall University and No. 19 Marquette University.

For the season, the 6-foot-3 White averages eight points and two rebounds. He has 75 assists and 30 steals.

Career-wise, White has 654 points, 181 rebounds and 102 steals through games of last Saturday.

White was the State 3A Player of the Year

in 2015, leading George Wythe Coach Willard Coker’s Bulldogs to the state title at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center.

The Big East Tournament will be March 11 through 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.