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Butler added another program first earlier this week.

The Bulldogs moved up five spots to No. 6 in the most recent Associated Press poll. The No. 6 ranking is the highest AP poll ranking and the highest in-season coaches poll ranking in program history. The Bulldogs (14-1, 2-0 Big East) have won five games in a row since a 53-52 loss to ranked Baylor on the road on Dec. 10. Butler is back on the court after a six-day absence for a road game against Providence on Friday night in Big East action.

The Friars (10-6, 3-0) have history on their side in the series, winning the last three games between the two teams to own a 11-3 edge all-time. Providence crushed the Bulldogs, 80-57, in the last meeting at the Big East tourney on March 13, 2019.

But this Bulldogs team is battle-tested and relies on a tough defense to win games. Butler limited its last two conference teams -- Creighton and St. John's -- to 18 percent shooting from beyond the arc, and ranks fourth nationally in allowing just 54.1 points per game.

Rank, Team, Opponent’s Average Points Per Game

1. Virginia 47.6
2. Liberty 51.8
3. Sacramento State 53.0
4. Butler 54.1
5. San Diego State 56.5

78. Seton Hall 64.7
251. Georgetown 72.2

Rank, Team, Opponent’s Average Points Per Game

1. Butler.............. 54.1
2. Seton Hall......... 64.7
3. Xavier.............. 65.4
4. Providence........ 66.1
5. DePaul.............. 66.1
6. Villanova........... 67.1
7. Marquette......... 68.1
8. St. John's.......... 68.1
9. Creighton.......... 68.3
10. Georgetown..... 72.2

kayako wrote:
College Basketball Imperialism Map1/7 Update: https://i.redd.it/a4rkvpx34i941.png

Big East's share (2nd most after B12) has been consolidated to Butler and Providence, and will be unified friday night.

eye of the jay wrote:Pretty crazy that if Providence won tonight they would enter the bubble discussion with 4-0, 11-6 records. I know that sounds insane considering just 3 weeks ago they were sitting at .500 with 0 good wins and some pretty bad losses (cough Long Beach St)

But.......give them a win over Butler and all of a sudden they are 3-1 against Q1 with a pretty decent blowout of Texas in the non-con. Now they are .500 against Quad 2 and 3 and have a terrrrrible loss against LBSU, but say they go .500 the rest of BE play and go 11-7 I'd say they have a chance at 18-13 going into BE Tourney play. Just saying