Butler-Providence must see on March 7

Get your all-day hoops fix -- beginning with Butler at Providence -- as the run to March Madness becomes a sprint to the regular-season finish line:

Make sure you show up early (11:30 am) for tomorrow's Senior Day festivities at the Dunk! #pcbb #goFriars http://t.co/0oR2geqfBQ

— Providence Friars (@PCAthletics) March 6, 2015

No. 21 Butler vs. No. 24 Providence
21-9, 11-6 Big East	21-9, 11-6 Big East
GAMECENTER
Noon ET Saturday  ::  FOX Sports 1

Why watch? Providence's Kris Dunn leads the Big East in assists (7.5 per game) and steals (2.8 pg) in overall and conference action. Dunn is attempting to become the first player in the conference's 36-year history lead the league in assists and steals in conference action. In fact, a Friar has led the Big East in assists the past three seasons: Bryce Cotton (6.1 apg in 2014) and Vincent Council in 2013 and 2012 (7.2 in 2013 and 8.0 in 2012. Other Providence players to have led the league in assists in conference play: God Shammgod (6.8 apg in 1997), Abdul Abdullah (7.3 in 1994) and Ricky Tucker (6.3 in 1983). ... Yep, including the last stat just to get God Shammgod into this piece.

Statistically speaking: Kellen Dunham leads Butler in scoring (16.7 points per game) and Kameron Woods is the team's leader on the board (9.6 rebounds per game). ... A victory would mark the first time that Providence has earned 12 Big East wins, topping the program's best mark of 11-5 in 2003-04. ... Butler's Woods grabbed his 900th career rebound during the Bulldogs' game against Georgetown on Tuesday. He now trails Daryl Mason (961 rebounds) and Jeff Blue (953) in Butler annals. ... The last time Providence had 22 wins in the regular season was 1977-78 (23-6). ... Butler leads the Big East in rebounding margin (plus-6.4). The Bulldogs have out-rebounded 23 of 30 opponents this season. ... Providence's LaDontae Henton is the second Friar to score 2,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. He has 2,004 points and 1,019 boards in 131 games. (Ryan Gomes is the only other PC player to accomplish the feat: 2,138 points, 1,028 rebounds in 116 games). ... Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann is fourth in wins among Butler coaches in their first year, trailing Brad Stevens (30), Todd Lickliter (26) and Thad Matta (24).

Series history: Providence is 3-0 against Butler, with all three games played in the past two yeas. In the series' most recent game, the Friars won 66-62 at Butler on Jan. Providence us 6-2 at home in the Big East.

Notebook: Providence is 1-3 against top-25 teams this season; Butler is 4-3. ... the Friars' Kris Dunn was named one of 17 finalists for the Bob Cousy Award, which recognizes the top point guard in men's college basketball. ... The Bulldogs' Andrew Chrabascz returned from hand surgery against Georgetown on Tuesday and finished with eight points, two rebounds and two assists.. He suffered the injury on Feb. 14. ...
The Friars are 2-0 in overtime games this season, 58-61 all time. ... Butler head coach Chris Holtmann is one of 15 semifinalists for the Naismith Coach of the Year Award. ... Providence is looking to make its second consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. The last time the Friars made back-to-back trips to the tournament was the 1988-89 and 1989-90 seasons. ... Butler's Alex Barlow, a former walk-on who has started 63 consecutive games, ranks 13th nationall in steals (65).

St. John's vs. No. 4 Villanova			No. 9 Kansas vs. No. 15 Oklahoma			No. 2 Virginia vs. No. 16 Louisville			No. 3 Duke vs. No. 19 UNC
GAMECENTER			GAMECENTER			GAMECENTER			GAMECENTER
2 p.m. Sat. :: FOX			4 p.m. Sat. :: ESPN			6:30 p.m. Sat. :: ESPN			9 p.m. Sat. :: ESPN
• Complete TV schedule

Information compiled from Butler and Providence team sites.