College Basketball
Surging Wildcats
No team was happier to put the month of February in the rearview mirror more than the Wildcats. They sputtered to a 4-4 record, including a three-game losing streak courtesy of some tough Big East conference play. The first matchup between these two Big East foes resulted in a tightly contested game. In that game, Villanova was able to squeak out an eight-point win (80-72) at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The first half set the stage for what looked like yet another back and forth contest. At halftime, Villanova held a three-point lead — 33-30. Butler was able to use their size advantage earlier on, and with Villanova struggling to find a rhythm on offense, looked poised for the upset. Villanova flipped the switch defensively in the second half, which resulted in a dominant 75-54 victory over Butler in front of a packed Wells Fargo Arena.
Butler Left Searching for Answers
The Bulldogs have had an up and down season to date, as evidenced by their 15-14 record overall, but looked to put a skid on their recent two-game losing streak. The problem for the Bulldogs this season has been playing away from Hinkle Fieldhouse. On the road, Butler has a 2-8 record. The Bulldogs were unable to muster any offense in the second half, shooting 10-34 (29.4%) from the field and 3-16 (18.8%) from three-point land.
Phil Booth Goes Out With a Bang
Phil Booth sent one last reminder to the fans at the Wells Fargo Arena that he’s the REAL DEAL. His career has been littered with success, which is evident by the two national championships he’s been a part of in his Wildcats career. Butler had no answer whatsoever for Booth, who tallied 28 points in 37 minutes of game action. More impressive than his final numbers was the efficiency in which Booth took over the game. He shot a blistering 67% from the field, which included 4-7 shooting from downtown. To put that in perspective, the Bulldogs starting five had a combined 29 total points for the entire game!
Big Picture
The Butler Bulldogs were firmly on the bubble before yesterday’s contest. With a win, the Bulldogs could have capitalized on an opportunity to strengthen their resume and make sure they weren’t playing on the opening day of the Big East tournament. With the season coming to an end, it looks like Butler will need to win the Big East tournament to receive an invitation to the big dance. Villanova was looking to show that their recent three-game losing streak was just a blip on the radar. With today’s dominant showing, Villanova seems to be peaking at the right time. The Wildcats are a lock to be in the field of 68, and with this late-season surge, look to be a team on the rise heading into postseason play.
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