Big East Basketball: Providence crushes Butler in Big East Tourney Quarterfinals
Ben Bentil had a classic game for the Friars in a Big East basketball showdown against Butler.
The Providence Friars hit a wall in the second half of conference play. They lost six out of eight games (with both wins coming against Georgetown), Kris Dunn battled a virus, Jalen Lindsey was sick and Ben Bentil was battling a lingering ankle injury.
But the Friars have turned it around and they are back to playing like the team that was ranked eighth in the country in early January.
On Thursday afternoon at Madison Square Garden, the Friars dominated the Butler Bulldogs in the second half on their way to a 74-60 victory. This win gives them a shot at number one seeded Villanova on Friday night in the Big East Tournament semifinals.
The Friars started this game in impressive fashion as they built a 12-point lead in the opening half. But Butler started raining threes from the perimeter – they shot 70 percent from beyond the arc in the first 20 minutes – and trailed by just two points at the break.
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The game completely flipped in the second frame with the Friars playing some of the more inspired basketball they have played in months.
Cooley’s unit has now won four straight games and one thing should be known: no one will want to match-up against this team in the Big Dance.
Ben Bentil is a man amongst boys
Bentil, a 6’9″ sophomore, has been the nation’s most improved player and it really hasn’t been close. Last season, Bentil averaged 6.4 points per game and 4.9 rebounds per game, but this year, he has exploded onto the scene, scoring 21.2 points per game and pulling down 7.8 rebounds per contest.
On Thursday, Bentil nearly scored his second 40 point game of the season as he put up 38 points and seven boards. The Delaware native scored 23 in the second frame and was dominant both inside and out.
“Normally I’m not a fan, but today literally I was a fan to see the ball going in the net like that, and he scored in every imaginable way,” Cooley said following the win.
Bentil improved his shot (5-of-9 from downtown), which helps space the floor for Dunn and the rest of the Friars’ guards to attack the lane consistently. The future pro is also quick off the bounce, strong, physical and has a beautiful quick release off his post up move.
While he still needs to work on his defense, Bentil has proven that he is Providence’s best scorer and has the tools to finally capture the nation’s attention when he plays on national television next week.
Why is Providence so dangerous?
Providence has star power. Dunn is the best all around point guard in college basketball with his ability to impact both ends of the floor and Bentil is a lethal scorer. These guys have the firepower to match the top duos in the country.
But what makes the Friars so dangerous is when Rodney Bullock, Kyron Cartwright and Jalen Lindsey step up as key members of the supporting cast.
Bullock is inconsistent but he scored eight points, grabbed nine rebounds and was efficient (4-of-8) against Butler. Most importantly, he was active on both ends of the floor.
Cartwright is spark plug because he gives this team a different dimension with his breakaway speed and quickness. The sophomore lead guard pushes Dunn off the ball (which gives Dunn more room to work) and finishing with six assists and zero turnovers against the Bulldogs is impressive.
“I don’t think Kyron is getting enough attention to what he’s bringing to our team,” Cooley said.
Finally, there’s Lindsey. He has his nights but as of late the shooting guard/small forward is playing with confidence. The Tennessee native is shooting better from the perimeter, is playing better defense and his work on the glass (seven rebounds) was huge in the quarterfinal battle.
Butler is still dancing
The Bulldogs have the best offense in the Big East thanks to the likes of Kellen Dunham, Roosevelt Jones and Kelan Martin. Those three combined to score 35 points (although Jones had only five) and they hit 10 threes (48% of their overall shots).
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Chris Holtmann’s team had issues guarding Bentil and they lack overall team speed, but there’s no question the Bulldogs are a tournament team because of their offense.