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Big East Basketball: Five takeaways from Butler’s win over Villanova

By Lukas Harkins

Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Avery Woodson (0) celebrates defeating Villanova University 66-58 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Avery Woodson (0) celebrates defeating Villanova University 66-58 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Kamar Baldwin (3) passes the ball while being defended by Villanova University forward Kris Jenkins (2) at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Kamar Baldwin (3) passes the ball while being defended by Villanova University forward Kris Jenkins (2) at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

The Dawgs are the real deal.

Sure, knocking off the No. 1 team in the country is a really big deal, but is it really that big of a surprise? Butler touts one of the best all-around basketball programs in the country with a home court tradition that runs deep through he halls of Hinkle Fieldhouse.

And, on top of all of that, their team is very good.

The Bulldogs (13-2, 2-1 Big East) have two rather tough losses to St. John’s and Indiana State by a combined four points, but they also possess several huge wins.

First it was Northwestern. Then Arizona. Then Utah. Then Cincinnati. Then Indiana. And now Villanova. That is six wins against likely tournament teams, and they’re now a staggering 5-0 against the top-25. The Dawgs are far from being the flashiest team in the country, as they mostly rely on team play and defense, but those are the things that win basketball games. That, and experience in big games, which Butler also has in abundance.

Of the nine man rotation that coach Chris Holtmann sends out to the floor, there are four seniors, two juniors, a sophomore, and two freshmen. These are, for the most part, players that have all endured tough competition and a few tournament appearances. The team showed great poise in this game and they continue to impress with each major win.

Another thing that should not go unnoticed about this win is that Butler did all the things that good basketball teams do. They took care of the ball by committing only eight turnovers, rebounded, and made free throws. Butler is traditionally a smaller team than their opponents, but they were able to out-rebound Villanova by nine.

Also, the team needed to close out the game at the free throw line, and they did just that. Games are often won and lost at the free throw line, and Butler’s 15-for-15 night from the foul line is the epitome of winning basketball.

So, when looking at the body of work from Butler, is defeating the No. 1 team in the country at home really an upset? Not really.