#16 Providence College Friars (16-3) 71
#18 Butler Bulldogs (13-5) 68
As was the case last year, the bank was open for Kris Dunn against Butler once again. The Providence superstar connected with a timely bank shot to seal the game against the Bulldogs, that was very reminiscent of the same shot last year. Although the New London native struggled for the majority of the game, he was able to come through when it counted.
The real revelation of the game came from the continued excellent play of Kyron Cartwright. That makes it consecutive game with double-digit points for the sophomore point guard and it couldn’t have come at a better time.
In the end, the Friars were able to sweep the season series with the Butler Bulldogs and get their third win of the year against a ranked opponent. Not only was the win good for PC’s resume, but it also stopped a 2 game losing steak at home that could have easily snowballed if they didn’t pull this one out.
Game Notes:
- Kyron Cartwright to the rescue!
- Cartwright was the savior for the Friars in the first half. He had 13 points including three 3-pointers when the zone was absolutely crushing PC in the half court. He was the reason the Friars were even in the game at half as Dunn was only able to muster 3 points.
- Cartwright was yapping at the Butler bench after every single one of his made baskets. It appears that a pissed off Cartwright playing with some attitude, is the Cartwright you want. He’s like Sidney Deane, he plays better when he’s pissed off.
- Not only was Kyron draining threes, which he’s gotten much better at this year, but him and roommate Ben Bentil continue to have a spidey sense when it comes to alley-oops.
- This was maybe Kris Dunn’s worst game of the year…until it wasn’t. I was saying it even when Dunn was tossing up threes off the backboard (that one eventually worked) and looking completely defeated during the first 30 minutes of the game, I trust him when it counts.
- And boy was that trust rewarded.
- Dunn struggled once again with foul trouble during the game as Jamie Luckie continued to think he was the focal point of the game that everyone should be worried about. Not only was Dunn the subject of ticky-tack fouls but really both teams were called for a number of phantom fouls that slowed down what could have been a fast-paced horse race if he wasn’t such an ass.
- Ben Bentil once again did the things we’ve become accustomed of seeing from him this year
- Dropped 20+ points for the 11th time this season.
- He crushed it from the foul line, going 8-10 and is now shooting 81.7% for the year.
- Went absolutely NUTS when his teammates scored…especially his roommate Kyron. That’s one of my favorite things about Ben.
- Bentil also played the full 40 minutes, because he’s a fucking warrior.
- How does Kelan Martin not start for Butler? He should be a part of a three-headed monster consisting of Dunham, Jones, and himself. He went 7-14 for 15 points, grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds, and missed a game-tying three pointer by the smallest of margins. The sophomore forward is only going to get better and he’ll be the go-to guy for the Bulldogs next year.
- Rodney Bullock had a great bounce back game, shooting 5-11 for 16 points and a pulling down a team-high 8 rebounds. He played a strong game down low and the Friars got some much needed nasty effort from him when they needed it.
- Apparently Rodney Bullock’s favorite band is the Backstreet Boys. The announcing team of Gus Johnson and Donny Marshall weren’t having it, but I ain’t mad at ya Rodney. Those dudes got hits for days.
- I have a feeling that he’s a Larger Than Life guy.
- Although Junior Lomomba only played 12 minutes due to Jamie Luckie being a dick, he gave his usual all-around glue-man game. It didn’t help that Lindsey (19 mins), Edwards (17 mins), and Fazekas (19 mins) couldn’t pick up the slack while he rode the bench, scoring 2, 3, & 2 points respectively.
- Drew Edwards continues to make Drew Edwards plays. What does that mean? Picking up important loose ball rebounds and driving hard to the hole when everyone else on the team seems to be allergic to it.
- If the Friars meet the Bulldogs in the Big East Tournament, they might want to do the one thing that every single team who watches even a single second of game tape on Butler should do above all else…not let Kellen Dunham shoot threes. Dunham went 6-12 from three and scored a game-high 21 points. He can’t get that many looks from downtown, let alone how many he had with space between himself and the closest defender.
- The bench, and really the whole team, continued their struggles from three. The bench threesome of Jalen Lindsey, Drew Edwards, and Ryan Fazekas went 0-7 from three and 3-13 from the floor. The team went under 25% as a whole from beyond the arc for the fourth game in a row, going 5-22 (22.7%) from deep.
- The fact that they call Roosevelt Jones “Rosey,” just doesn’t work for me. Sorry, but it sounds like a chick rather than the old man that he is.
- Quadree Smith continues to have a wrap on his hand on the bench, but he did shed his usual warm-up suit/sweatshirt number, and I’m all for that. Plus, when the ladies look to check out the bench players, it looks like you’ve been playing the whole game. Old hockey trick.
- From what I hear, he’s getting very close to being game ready. That would be a very welcome addition to the bench, just simply for a body for depth purposes, especially in the thin frontcourt.
- From what I’ve read from everyone (Cooley, Dunn, Fazekas, etc.), the crowd at the Dunk was BONKERS.
- Just as a side note, Ben Bentil’s Jordan kicks were tight as hell.
Next Up, The Friars travel to the 4th ranked Villanova Wildcats on Saturday at Noon on Fox.
The Morning Hangover 