Providence Fiar vs Butler Bulldogs Picks and Predictions January 8th 2025

Providence Hosts Butler as Both Teams Seek to End Skids

Providence and Butler, two teams struggling to find their footing in Big East play, meet Wednesday night in Providence, R.I., in a pivotal matchup. The Friars aim to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to a top-ranked opponent, while the Bulldogs search for their first conference win in nearly a month.

Providence Seeks to Build Momentum

The Friars (7-8, 1-3) enter the game on a four-game losing streak, but their most recent outing against then-No. 11 UConn showed glimpses of promise. Providence held a 12-point halftime lead before falling 87-84 in a tightly contested matchup.

Jayden Pierre shined in the loss, scoring a career-high 24 points to lead the Friars. His performance was complemented by Wesley Cardet Jr., who added 18 points, and freshmen Ryan Mela and Oswin Erhunmwunse, who contributed key minutes.

Head coach Kim English highlighted the team’s improved effort against UConn, noting the strides made since their blowout loss to Marquette the previous week.

“I was proud of our guys,” English said. “That’s the beauty of the Big East — another great opportunity against Butler in our building this week.”

The Friars hope to channel that energy into snapping their skid at home, relying on contributions from their developing roster and a renewed sense of togetherness.

Butler Looks to Reclaim Early Season Form

The Bulldogs (7-8, 0-4) are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, their longest since 2014. Most recently, Butler fell 70-62 to St. John’s despite holding the Red Storm to just 1-for-21 shooting from beyond the arc.

Turnovers and a sluggish start plagued Butler, as they committed a season-high 21 turnovers and missed their first nine field-goal attempts. Head coach Thad Matta acknowledged the team’s struggles in closing out games, citing missed opportunities in recent matchups against Villanova, Marquette, and UConn.

“We gotta find a way,” Matta said, following the St. John’s game.

Pierre Brooks has been a bright spot for the Bulldogs, leading the team with 14.8 points per game. He posted 17 points and eight rebounds in the loss to St. John’s, while Jahmyl Telfort added versatility with 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in Big East play.

Matta has also experimented with lineup changes, starting Kolby King in place of Finley Bizjack, as he looks for a spark to end the losing streak.

Key Matchup: Providence’s Resilience vs. Butler’s Closing Ability

Providence will aim to replicate their offensive rhythm from the UConn game while cutting down on lapses that allowed the Huskies to mount a comeback. Butler, meanwhile, must address its turnover issues and find a way to close out games after faltering in several tight contests.

Jayden Pierre’s scoring ability and leadership will be critical for the Friars, while Butler will lean on Brooks and Telfort to provide stability on both ends of the court.

Dive into Victor Wembanyama’s Latest Odds and Expert Predictions for the Season

Pivotal Game in the Big East

For both teams, this matchup represents an opportunity to turn the tide in their respective seasons. Providence is eager to prove their recent effort against UConn was no fluke, while Butler seeks to finally break through and secure a much-needed win.

With both squads desperate for a victory, fans at Amica Mutual Pavilion can expect a spirited contest as two Big East teams fight to regain their footing. Whether it’s the Friars feeding off their home-court energy or the Bulldogs finding the resilience to close out a game, Wednesday night’s clash promises high stakes and intense competition.