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Butler Basketball: 3 takeaways from the Bulldogs’ win over Providence

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Aaron Thompson #2 of the Butler Bulldogs passes the ball against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Aaron Thompson #2 of the Butler Bulldogs passes the ball against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 06: Martin
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 06: Martin /

Butler basketball returned to its roots in their win over Providence. The Bulldogs played stifling defense and used timely buckets to take care of the Friars.

After a three-game losing streak, Butler basketball was in need of a win. In their Saturday afternoon matchup with Providence, the Dawgs got just what they needed. Despite trailing by two points at halftime, Butler turned over a leaf in the second half to dominate Providence on the defensive end of the floor.

Holding the Friars to just 19 second-half points was an exceptional defensive performance and it was what led the Bulldogs to victory. As per usual, Kelan Martin was the leading scorer for the Dawgs, finishing with 19 points on 6-for-17 shooting. The senior has clearly played at an All-Big East level this season and he has been underrated throughout the year.

Yet, as Butler continues to stay steady in the top-half of the conference, more national outlets will start to take note of the forward. Martin did not have his greatest game in this one but he still managed to be the captain of Butler’s ship. When Providence trimmed Butler’s lead to just eight points down the stretch of the game, it was Martin who stepped up with a monster three from the top-of-the-key that iced the victory.

Night in and night out, he is the go-to scorer for the Bulldogs and that did not change in this one. However, it was not just Martin who won this game for Butler. Now that the win is in the bag, here are three more key reasons that the Bulldogs took the win.

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