Big East basketball, no matter who the member schools are, has always been about toughness, grit and physical play. Big East play returned to Hinkle Fieldhouse on Thursday and the Butler Bulldogs and Providence Friars fought for almost every rebound, fought through several screens and fought for any advantage.
This Big East opener for both schools had all the elements of an entertaining game.
The difference, though, was Providence’s Kris Dunn, the Friars’ star player who handled the basketball in the game’s most critical moments. He guided the Friars through ninth-ranked Butler’s strong defense and led No.