The Return of the Big East!
The Big East is officially back on Saturday, as Providence heads to Indiana to face the Butler Bulldogs in what will be a Quadrant 1 matchup for the Friars. Kim English’s team faces a tough road test against a Butler squad that has been one of the more efficient offensive teams in the conference early this season. With both teams looking to make an early statement in Big East play, this matchup at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse figures to be a high-level, competitive battle.
Game Information:
Tip Off: 2:00 PM ET
Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, Indiana
TV Streaming: TruTV
Kim English appeared to use Providence’s game against Brown as a final tune-up before conference play, with eight players logging over 15 minutes. That rotation could prove important as the Friars prepare for a physical, fast-paced matchup on the road.
Providence Overview:
Strengths:
The Friars have been very strong offensively and possess a versatile attack that allows them to score at all three levels. Providence can pressure the rim with Sellers, Mela, Oswin, and Jones, operate effectively in the midrange with Edwards, and stretch the floor from beyond the arc with Vaaks, Sellers, and Edwards. This well-rounded approach forces opposing defenses to pick their poison and gives Providence flexibility on every possession. When the Friars get hot, they tend to stay hot, particularly in transition. As seen in the URI game, Providence is capable of erasing deficits in a matter of minutes, keeping them competitive regardless of game flow.
Weaknesses:
The most noticeable weakness for the Friars has been a lack of frontcourt height and depth. Oswin Erhumnwunse has been a defensive presence, but at 6’10” and without the stamina to consistently play 30 minutes, Providence has struggled against teams with multiple 6’11” or 7-foot bigs. Pinnis and Hargrove have shown flashes of being solid rotational contributors, but not yet at a level that inspires confidence against Butler’s size. Another recent concern has been Providence’s ball security, as sloppy passes and unforced turnovers have cost the Friars valuable possessions in recent games.
Butler Overview:
Strengths:
Like Providence, Butler has leaned heavily into offense this season. According to KenPom, the Bulldogs rank 48th nationally in offensive efficiency (Providence: 44th). Butler has shot an impressive 39.4% from three and 49.6% from the field overall. With a balanced mix of dribble penetration and perimeter shooting, Butler’s offensive profile closely resembles that of the Friars, making this a matchup where execution could outweigh scheme.
Weaknesses:
Defense has been somewhat of an issue for Butler, as KenPom puts them at 70 (Providence: 131). Their struggles have largely stemmed from allowing dribble penetration, inconsistent defensive rebounding, and a lack of forced turnovers. Against a team like Providence, who have been very strong at the rim (Jamier and Sellers), they could be left vulnerable. Butler’s rebounding issues may also play into Providence’s favor, offering the Friars opportunities for second-chance points despite their own offensive rebounding struggles.
Providence’s Keys to Winning
1) Find Shooting Form
Providence shot just 30.8% from three against Brown, not disastrous, but likely insufficient against a talented Butler team. Stefan Vaaks in particular struggled, going 1-for-11 from beyond the arc while still managing to score 10 points. A reset and return to form from Vaaks would go a long way toward opening up Providence’s offense.
2) Prevent Offensive Rebounds
At this point in the season, it is pretty clear that Providence does not have effective offensive rebounding in their toolbox. However, against Butler they can still mitigate unnecessary damage by making sure they box out defensively. There were a few moments in the Brown, URI, and FDU games where our own players were fighting amongst themselves for the rebound, showing strong physicality (albeit against their own team). If the Friars can lock down the defensive glass, they will put themselves in a fantastic position to score in transition.
3) No Dumb Fouls
It is quite important that we see less stupid fouls, particularly from our big men, as it has led to situations like the Florida game where both Oswin and Hargrove fouled out, leaving Pinnis to finish out the game. The Colorado game also felt like a game where we fouled every other possession, giving up a lot of free looks. The last thing the Friars want to be worrying about in this matchup is foul trouble.
Key Players:
Providence: Stefan Vaaks, Jaylin Sellers, Jamier Jones
Butler: Finley Bizjack, Michael Ajayi, Drayton Jones