(1) Friday Night Game 1/10/20

[MUPanther]

6 Butler @ Providence, 9:00, FS1 - Dave Sims, Vin Parise
Line: Butler -1.5/127.5

[Fieldhouse Flyer]

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Matchup Statistics: Gamecast: #6 Butler at Providence - ESPN

Game Preview Article: No. 6 Butler puts lofty ranking on the line against Providence – ESPN/Field Level Media – January 9, 2020

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.

Read on for more. After the game tips off, the linked ESPN webpage will display links to Live Box Score and Live Play-by-play.
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Men’s Basketball Statistics – Team Scoring Defense - NCAA.com - updated January 10, 2020

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

Men’s Basketball Statistics – Team Scoring Defense - BigEast.com - updated January 10, 2020

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

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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.

[BEhomer]

very interesting matchup. two of the hottest teams in the BE. Providence with a chance to turn some heads.

I would give Butler the edge because they have better guard play, but PC is at home so this should be very close.

[sju88grad]

If anyone had told me 2 weeks ago that Butler would be only a 1 1/2 point favorite over Providence tonight, I would have bet the house on Butler......amazing how things can turn around so quickly, especially in the Big East.....

[FenwayFriar]

Friars are 11-3 against Butler since realignment, including 5-1 at home. However still a good amount of seats available and no students back yet from break. No reason there shouldn't be a rowdy sellout crowd against the #6 team in the country on a Friday night. Fan base still hasn't recovered from OOC.

[eye of the jay]

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

[FriarJ]

It’s going to take 12-6 in conference but if they win tonight then they are obviously capable. Cooley has convinced them that every game is a tournament game going forward.

[stever20]

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

The Texas win barely holding on to Q2- may wind up being a pretty meaningless win end of the season.

Providence one that DePaul remaining top 75 will be big....

Tonight's a must win just about. Home loss tonight and they're right back in the mid-upper 80's probably.

[Jet915]

At this point, minus well have PC win so their NET can be a Q1 for others.

[scoscox]

What do you guys think of mullin so far?