4:00 pm: Man, feel so incredibly lucky to be here. Thank you to anyone and everyone who engages with the content, this event is nothing like anything else in this sport.
The crowd is slowly filling in as we hit 4pm on a Wednesday, hoping to see it get pretty loud as we get deeper in the game, and in the day. But for now, the standard starters for both tea, will take the floor, with your season on the line. Christ Essandoko hung on the rim just in front of us as we get ready for the national anthem.
We're seconds away from tip-off in the event we've waited 12 months for. The Big East Tournament. Let's get this show on the road! -MD
4:14 pm: 9-7 | 15:57
Butler pops out to an early lead at the first media timeout. Boden Kapke had a good first few minutes for the Bulldogs, as did Pierre Brooks. They combine for 4-4 from the floor, and have all nine of Butler’s points.
On the PC side, Oswin Ehrunmwunse had asserted his physicality on the offensive side. He has four points and an offensive board. You can certainly see why Kim English is excited for his development in the years to come. -CT
4:21 pm: 17-12 | 12:15
Kolby King buries a triple and is up to 7-12 (58%) from the floor. Butler’s lead-guard spot has been shaky at times this season, to be frank, but both King and Finley Bizjack have done some good things for Butler in the first eight minutes.
Providence’s offensive spacing has been questionable — mostly relying on bully-ball down low against a less imposing Butler front line with Kapke. Wesley Cardet impressed me with his defensive lateral quickness in his first couple minutes. - CT
4:29 pm: 23-17 BU | 8:49
Pierre Brooks’s physicality is making a huge difference in this game. He’s bullying these smaller PC guards and getting to the rim with ease. The Friars will have to adjust to his size and strength, I would expect to see Wesley Cardet cover him more in this game. He's the only guy PC has that can really match his physicality, especially when Jahmyl Telfort isn’t in the game for Butler.
Fans are slowly packing in this place as we get deeper into this game. Neither team has seemingly hit a flow state, though Butler is finding their rhythm in the paint, something they really haven’t done this season.
Kim English and Pat Driscoll are having a discussion down on the baseline after that Oswin goaltending call. Which wouldn’t be noteworthy, but considering his trials and tribulations with officiating, I thought it was noteworthy. The discussion seemed very civil, but something to monitor. Only three fouls in this game early on, as well. -MD
4:40 pm: 30-25 BU | 4:37
Butler still in control of the scoreboard, but a Jayden Pierre triple prompted a Thad Matta timeout and the first real crowd pop of the Big East Tournament. The crowd is probably 75% in favor of the Friars. Butler has had some good looks from beyond the arc, but haven’t capitalized. The Bulldogs shoot 37% from three on the year, just 3-11 here this afternoon.
Jahmyl Telfort has been really great thus far. He’s got 11 pts on 5-6 from the floor. Telfort was awarded a third team All-Big East selection, and he most certainly deserved being on one of the All-Conference teams. It’s scary to think about where this Butler team would be without him. -CT
4:55 pm: 39-31 BU | Halftime
There were seven total fouls in the first half, really clean game through 20 minutes. The pace hasn’t been all that up-and-down, yet we still have 70 points on the board. Butler’s duo of Brooks and Telfort have combined for 26 points on 12-17 shooting. Those two seniors seem to not want their season to end tonight.
Ryan Mela is the only Friar in double-digits. If PC is able to keep Oswin and Mela from entering the portal, those are two worthwhile building blocks for 2025-26. Kim English stormed to the tunnel immediately after Wesley Cardet’s jumper didn’t find the net at the buzzer. He seems pretty frustrated with his group through the first 20. -CT
One halftime note from me that I didn’t tweet out is Kim English is clearly very frustrated with his guys. He has multiple times been frustrated with shot selection, and went to the halftime locker room before greeting any of his players. He isn’t happy with what he’s seen. Feels like Butler should be up much more than eight.
Seems if PC doesn’t go on a run early after halftime, they could be checked out.-MD
5:25 pm: 51-45 BU | 11:19
We’re nine minutes into the second half, wherein each team’s statistics have been nearly mirror images of each other. PC cut the Butler lead down to five before a Landon Moore triple. The crowd is begging PC to do something to get them on their feet.
Boden Kapke is heading to the line for two FT’s to extend the lead. The duo of Kapke/Screen have held the PC big men in check much better in the second half. -CT
5:35 pm: 63-53 BU | 6:24
Butler is holding Providence at an arm’s length. Jayden Pierre is doing all he can to create offense, but the sets (or lackthereof) from PC has been disappointing. If I am SJU, I wouldn’t be super excited if Butler is the team you’re playing tomorrow. They have such quality spacing, and multiple guys that can create their own shot.
Pierre Brooks is up to 20 points now. He expressed his frustration on X with being left off of the Big East all-conference teams; he’s showing why tonight. -CT
5:53 pm: 71-63 BU | 1:20
This one is all but sealed. The Butler Bulldogs went wire to wire, never trailed in this game. Thad Matta’s group showed a lot of poise on the big stage. The bench provided energy and briefs sparks on the floor, and PC’s main duo of Brooks and Telfort had a wonderful game. WIth just a minute on the clock, those two have combined for 41 points on 18-30 from the floor.
Bensley Joseph is trying to make things interesting, hitting a three bringing the Butler lead down to eight. But it would be a miracle for PC to get truly back in this one. -CT
6:00 pm: 75-69 BU | Final
There you have it. Butler advances, and will face top-seeded St. John’s tomorrow at noon. Landon Moore and Jahmyl Telfort certainly led the way, but a myriad of Butler contributors factored in in this one.
Butler is now 3-4 in first round games in the Big East Tournament. It’s the first BET win for Butler since 2022.
Next up is DePaul and Georgetown, which, if nothing else, should be a competitive game. -CT
6:53 pm: 18-12 DEP | 11:38
Well, DePaul is up six on Georgetown, again. They beat them twice in the regular season, and are looking to add a shiny third victory over the Hoyas, this time in MSG. This DePaul team has some real weaknesses, but shooting the damn basketball is not one of them. They’re 4-6 early on from beyond the arc. Layden Blocker and CJ Gunn, who make up DePaul’s backcourt, have all eighteen Blue Demon points.
On the Georgetown side of things, shot aren’t falling - but they aren’t getting a ton of high percentage looks. A sluggish start, but they’re only down six, and they have the best player on the court in Micah Peavy. Strap in, folks. -CT
7:06 pm: 29-20 DEP | 7:25
The DePaul basketball program was completely dead. Inherently, it was the toughest job in the Big East. Yet, here we are at the Big East tournament, with the DePaul Blue Demons just blitzing Georgetown. They’re playing with purpose, confidence, and aren’t in the constant state of disarray we had come to know from DePaul the past decade.
DePaul is tearing apart Georgetown’s defensive structure limb-by-limb. On the other end, DePaul is pressuring shooters and allowing Drew Fielder a 1-on-1 in the paint. Fielder has answered that by going 0-7 from the floor thus far. -CT
7:27 pm: 40-38 GU | Half
Well, we’ve witnessed a bit of a DePaul collapse in the latter portion of the first half. The Blue Demons got up by as many as 15 at one point, but Georgetown will head into the half with the lead.
David Thomas has picked up his third personal foul in the first half for DePaul. That is certainly a situation to monitor. But more than anything else, it felt as if DePaul’s defensive intensity and effort dropped after the first ten minutes or so.
Micah Peavy leads all scorers with 14 points. It’s been a quiet 14, but nothing Peavy does is overstated. He just constantly does things to help Georgetown succeed. For DePaul to stay within range in the 2H, they’ll need to find a way to put a bottle cap on Peavy. - CT
The Blue Demons are without their starting PG Conor Enright and it shows. The Georgetown press is wearing on these DePaul guards. DePaul has nine first half turnovers, and a lot of those came on Georgetown’s late run to take the lead. The Hoyas have been the more physical team, and this press is either forcing DePaul turnovers, or taking valuable time off the clock.
On the DePaul side, Gunn and Blocker were both excellent. Both hit some very tough shots. And if DePaul can retain NJ Benson to go with their core with Conor Enright, Layden Blocker and others, I think they can compete in the league. I think NJ Benson is one of the most underrated players in our league, and is a sleeper candidate for an All-Big East team next season. Really like his physicality on the interior.
Jayden Epps, despite scoring eight points has taken some wild shots. He’s shooting from quite far out after starting well and has had some really, really ugly misses. Drew Fielder also has seven points, but five of which came at the FT line. Fielder is 1/9 from the field and will need to convert some of these opportunities around the bucket if the Hoyas are to extend this lead in the second half. -MD
7:57 pm: 53-51 DEP | 11:41
Georgetown opened up the second half in a zone defense, primarily to protect Micah Peavy, who had three fouls heading into the break. DePaul was able to shoot their way out of the zone, forcing Cooley to get back to man-to-man defense.
Isaiah Rivera finally made his first basket of the game for DePaul. He’s scored in double figures in each of the last five games, and scored 21 points last game against the Hoyas. He’ll likely need to get going a bit for DePaul to pull off the upset.
For Georgetown, Peavy has very clearly been a bit more passive on both ends; the fouls have hampered him. Drew Fielder has looked a little more competent in the paint in the second half after a really rough first 20 minutes. -CT
8:07 pm: 62-55 DEP | 8:05
Drew Fielder has four fouls now — without Sorber, the Georgetown frontcourt depth is exceptionally weak. NJ Benson has been the best player on the floor during this second half. He’s a legitimately good big in this league. He and D’Amico were ragtag frontcourt group pulled together in the portal - but all in all, they work.
DePaul has the momentum heading under eight minutes to play. Peavy has avoided his fourth foul — but at what cost? Peavy has two points and zero rebounds in the second stanza. Time to notch up the aggressiveness from the first team all-Big East talent. -CT
8:40 pm: 71-67 DEP | Final
WOW! Chris Holtmann gets his first Big East Tournament win in his career, including his days previously at Butler. NJ Benson, while just returning from injury, absolutely took over this game in the second half.
Epps airballed a free throw in a key moment, and Georgetown simply lacked the intensity and effort needed to win that game. Eight more wins this season than the last for Ed Cooley — but a sour ending, including a three game sweep coming at the hands of DePaul.
DePaul will have to head back to the tape in the next 24 hours to determine how to stop Ryan Kalkbrenner, who dominated the paint in Creighton’s win over DePaul in February. -CT
9:23 pm: Georgetown/DePaul recap I'm still a bit in shock from that Cooley press conference. He cut a wrestling promo on his big man. You can tell he really, really wants Sorber back. He guaranteed Sorber goes lottery, Sorber wins BE Player of the Year and Georgetown is cutting down nets in this building. Also, really want to credit the culture Chris Holtmann has built at DePaul. The coaches and players were bantering back and forth in the press conference, and clearly really like each other. The guys looked very happy to all be playing together, and a quote from N.J. Benson talking about how he rushed back FOR the seniors in their last run really rang true to me. Really, really impressed with Benson on this trip. -MD
9:24 pm: 15-4 NOVA | 12:53
Kyle Neptune’s Villanova Wildcats woke up with something to prove. I’ve talked about it all week - in these big games, Villanova performs a heck of a lot better. Eric Dixon is scoreless through seven minutes, and still the Wildcats hold an eleven point advantage.
Seton Hall looks void of motivation. They are frankly outskilled in this matchup as well. Seton Hall is just 2-10 from the floor, we’ll see if they can make a competitive one out of this game yet. -CT
9:51 pm: 29-14 VU | 3:43
Not much has changed in this one. The Cats are firmly in control at the final media timeout of the first half. Eric Dixon, the nation’s leading scorer, is still scoreless (on two attempts), but Wooga Poplar is a more-than-capable front man. Penn transfer Tyler Perkins has also provided a spark and seven points off the bench.
Seton Hall is really struggling on the offensive side of the basketball. Isaiah Coleman has been the Pirates most consistent offensive threat all season long, and that’s continued today. He has some really quality rhythm to his game, a high upside player for sure. But outside of Coleman, SHU has six total points in over 16 minutes of basketball.
The Kyle Neptune era will extend at least one more game. -CT
10:06 pm: 35-17 VU | Half
We have made it to halftime of the nightcap. Eric Dixon has zero points, zero assists, and zero rebounds through 20 minutes. If you told a Seton Hall fan that would be the case at halftime, they’d assume they were up 10. Instead, they’re down 18. Unbelievable.
Seton Hall has eight made field goals and eight turnovers to go along with them. It’s just really pitiful basketball being played from the Pirates. They need this offseason (and the supposed NIL boost incoming) as quick as possible. Fortunately, it’ll happen in exactly 20 minutes of game time. -CT
10:33 pm: 37-29 VU | 15:38
Well, hold on to your hats, folks. The Seton Hall Pirates are making this one a game. In fact, Villanova has let their lead slide down to eight points. The Hall has made their first five shot attempts of the second half, while Villanova is just 1-5. The nation’s leading scorer Eric Dixon is now 0-6 shooting and has been riddled with foul trouble.
The remaining crowd here at MSG seems excited about the fact that this one might not be as much of a dud as we initially concluded. -CT
10:41 pm: 50-29 VU | 12:30
Alright, we’re back to our regularly scheduled programming here in the witching hour at MSG. Villanova has regained both control and momentum, and Eric Dixon has found his footing. Villanova has not only closed the door, they slammed it with authority (shouts to Wooga Poplar). Wildcats take a 13-0 run nearing the U12 media timeout.
Villanova will be a really interesting matchup for UConn tomorrow night. They split the season series – but in all reality, it should’ve been 2-0 in favor of Villanova. I would not want to face the Cats on Thursday night. - CT
11:21 | 67-55 VU | Final
And that’s a wrap on day one at the Big East Tournament. Villanova finishes things off against Seton Hall, ending Shaheen Holloway’s Pirates season. Isaiah Coleman led all scorers in this game with 25. People have loved to blame NIL for this season’s mishaps, but I think there’s more to it than that for Seton Hall. They need a hard reset this offseason, and Shaheen Holloway needs to get the Pirates to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in his tenure. Patience will start to wear thin after next season.
The Villanova Wildcats, on the other hand, are now at 19-13 on the year. They’d get their 20th win of the year with a win over UConn tomorrow night. As I said above, that’s a very tangible result.
Day one’s biggest winner to me? The Butler Bulldogs. Butler beat Providence in wire-to-wire fashion and have the talent and pieces to give SJU all they can handle in round two tomorrow at noon.
Day Two Picks:
I’ll take SJU to beat Butler, but I think Butler will really give them a run.
Give me Marquette to hold off the surging Musketeers. Marquette lost a heartbreaker to SJU last Saturday - they’ll break through with a big one here.
Creighton should roll DePaul for a third time this season.
Finally, I’ll take Villanova to extend its season once again. They’ve looked good against UConn both times out.
Until tomorrow, Cheers!
-CT
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