Video of Providence coach Kim English, players after beating Butler The Friars open Big East Tournament play with a 91-81 win over Butler on Wednesday, March 11, and advance to face top-seeded St. John's on Thursday. NEW YORK — Providence’s trip to this men’s basketball Big East Tournament will last at least two games. Stefan Vaaks made sure of that by delivering the knockout blow with 1:26 to play late Wednesday afternoon. Butler was out of chances after squandering what felt like a comfortable early lead in the preliminary round at Madison Square Garden. The Friars wiped out a 16-point deficit and ultimately pulled away while opening the 2026 version of this headlining event. They surged...