Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: Keys to success in home matchup with Providence

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 1: Kyron Cartwright #24 of the Providence Friars dribbles the ball while being guarded by Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs in the first half at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 1, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 1: Kyron Cartwright #24 of the Providence Friars dribbles the ball while being guarded by Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs in the first half at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 1, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 20: Fowler of the Butler Bulldogs. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 20: Fowler of the Butler Bulldogs. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

1. Limit Providence’s presence in the paint.

This is possibly the facet of the game that Butler should be most worried about heading into this game. This is due to the fact that the Friars are among the best teams in the country when it comes to securing offensive rebounds and then drawing fouls in the paint as well. So far this season, Providence is ranked 61st in the nation in offensive rebounding rate (32.2%) and 40th in FTAr (38.7%). Additionally, these trends have been prevalent throughout the season as they are ranked second and first in those respective fields during Big East play only.

Butler, on the other hand, is the worst team in the conference when it comes to allowing opponents to reach the free throw line. Additionally, the Dawgs’ season-long mark in this category (36.0%) is just 253rd nationally. These statistics certainly do not bode well for head coach LaVall Jordan’s team but at least they have rebounded well as of late. In fact, Butler is ranked second in the entire Big East in defensive rebounding rate (73.9%).

In order to walk away victorious in this game, Butler’s bigs will need to find a way to compete in the paint with Providence. This mostly comes down to the play of Joey Brunk and Nate Fowler but strong rebounding performances from Sean McDermott and Jordan Tucker also wouldn’t hurt. Oh, and maybe…just maybe…Butler can pound the inside and draw some fouls on Providence’s frontcourt. If the Dawgs are able to limit PC’s ability to dominate inside, a victory will become likely.