Butler Basketball: 3 keys for the Bulldogs against Providence

2. Snag rebound after rebound

When Butler does get stops in this game, they will need on rebounding. In 14 conference games this season, the Bulldogs have been the definition of average on the glass. They have snagged 468 rebounds during league play while their opponents have grabbed 469. In this upcoming matchup against Providence, Butler’s bigs will need to be on their game after missed shots.

In the road loss to the Friars earlier this season, the Bulldogs were destroyed on the boards. Butler cannot afford to be outrebounded by nine like they were in the last battle. In order to avoid that same result, the Bulldogs’ will need their three top rebounders to show up all night long. With all of them playing different positions, Butler can have all of their top glass-cleaners on the floor at the same time.

For starters, Tyler Wideman snags a team-high 16.3% of total available rebounds while he is on the floor in league play. He is also averaging 5.3 rebounds per game during these games. The senior big man never consistently posts double-doubles but he is aggressive on the glass and in searching for loose balls. He rarely fills up the stat sheet like other players but does all of the little things that Butler needs.

After Wideman, Butler’s stars Kelan Martin and Kamar Baldwin are elite rebounders for their size. The two studs both average more than five rebounds per game in conference play and will be needed to have big games. The most important part about these two is what they can after snagging rebounds. Martin and Baldwin are two of Butler’s best players in transition. When they grab the ball after a missed shot, they can run the floor and either score for themselves or set up teammates.