Both teams come into this game on lengthy losing streaks. PC is the eighth seed while Butler is the nine seed.

While neither team is particularly impressive, Providence has largely held Butler in check through two meetings, winning one by double-digit points and losing the other by just one. The Friars win the rubber match to advance.

The Big East men’s basketball tournament tips off Wednesday afternoon when the Butler Bulldogs (13-18, 6-14) take on the Providence Friars (12-19, 6-14) in New York City. Providence literally and figuratively limps into the tournament.

The Big East Tournament gets underway Wednesday with three first-round games from teams seeded sixth through 11th, all of which air on Peacock. These teams playing on Wednesday have to win four games in four days to win the tournament and punch their ticket to March Madness.

Providence and Butler ended disappointing regular seasons with the dubious claim of being among the Big East's coldest teams. Two teams on lengthy losing streaks will open

St. John's enters the tournament as the favorite, with Pitino's Red Storm priced at +140 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Next up are No. 2 Creighton and No. 3 UConn, as both are +410 to win the Big East Tournament. No. 5 Marquette is +600, No. 4 Xavier is +850 and No. 6 Villanova is +1600.

Watch as the No. 8 seed Providence Friars (12-19, 6-14 Big East) and the No. 9 seed Butler Bulldogs (13-18, 6-14 Big East) try to move on in the Big East tournament on Wednesday as they meet at 4

The Butler Bulldogs will play in the Big East Tournament opener Wednesday in New York. Here are the schedule, bracket and expert predictions.

The Providence Friars and Butler Bulldogs square off in the Big East Tournament. Wednesday's meeting will be the third of the season between the two teams.