Butler hires Ronald Nored as next men's basketball coach Butler University officially announced on March 25 that Ronald Nored will serve as its new men’s basketball coach, succeeding Thad Matta after his retirement following the 2025-26 season. Nored, 36, will become the 25th head coach in the program’s history, marking the first hire under athletic director Grant Leiendecker, who assumed the role in December 2024. Nored’s appointment was highlighted by his deep ties to the university, including his playing career at Butler. The former player and assistant coach joined the program as a student-athlete, contributing to Butler’s back-to-back national championship runner-up campaigns in 2010 and 2011. His relationship with Leiendecker, a fellow former player, played a significant role in the decision, as Nored was the only candidate without prior college head-coaching experience. Despite this, his familiarity with the program and its culture was seen as a key asset. In a statement, Nored expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, calling it “an incredibly special place” and emphasizing his commitment to the program’s legacy. He praised the university’s “storied tradition,” the Hinkle Fieldhouse, and the Big East conference, while acknowledging the challenges ahead. “There is incredible momentum at Butler right now,” he said, vowing to “hit the ground running” as the team aims to elevate its performance. Leiendecker praised Nored’s leadership qualities, noting his “relentless work ethic” and “elite basketball IQ.” The AD emphasized that Nored’s NBA experience would provide a competitive edge in the evolving college basketball landscape. “We didn’t hire him for his history here—we hired him for his vision of what we can become,” Leiendecker stated.#big_east_conference #grant_leiendecker #ronald_nored #butler_university #hinkle_fieldhouse
Butler Hires Former Alum Ronald Nored as New Men’s Basketball Coach Butler University has announced the hiring of Ronald Nored as its next men’s basketball coach, marking a return to its roots by bringing in a former player with deep ties to the program. Nored, a 36-year-old former point guard who played for the Bulldogs under head coach Brad Stevens from 2008 to 2012, will replace Thad Matta, who recently retired. The decision was confirmed by sources, with a formal announcement expected later on Wednesday. Nored, who has spent the majority of his post-playing career in the NBA, will take over a program that has seen increased financial investment, including projected revenue sharing and NIL funding exceeding $9 million for the 2026-27 season. Nored’s coaching journey began shortly after his playing days, starting with the Maine Red Claws, the Celtics’ G League affiliate, in 2013. He later joined the Boston Celtics for a season before moving to Northern Kentucky and then the Long Island Nets, where he served as head coach from 2016 to 2018. Since 2018, he has worked as an assistant for the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and Atlanta Hawks. His NBA experience has provided him with valuable insights into high-level basketball operations, which he will now apply to the collegiate level. As a player, Nored was a key contributor to Butler’s success, serving as the starting point guard on two teams that reached the NCAA tournament’s national championship game in 2010 and 2011. During his time at Butler, he expressed a clear interest in coaching, a path that has now come to fruition. The hiring of Nored aligns with Butler’s tradition of hiring individuals with strong connections to the university, continuing a lineage that includes previous coaches like Stevens and Matta.#brad_stevens #big_east_conference #thad_matta #ronald_nored #butler_university
Utah State vs. Villanova NCAA Tournament Matchup: Odds and Predictions for 2026 Game The ninth-seeded Utah State Aggies will face the eighth-seeded Villanova Wildcats in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Friday. Utah State, which recently defeated San Diego State 73-62 in the Mountain West Conference Tournament championship, enters the game with a 28-6 record. The Aggies have won four consecutive games and secured the Mountain West regular-season title with a 15-5 record. Villanova, meanwhile, fell to Georgetown 78-64 in the Big East Conference Tournament quarterfinals. The Wildcats, with a 24-8 record, finished third in the Big East standings and have won two of their last three games. The game will take place at Viejas Arena in San Diego, with tipoff scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Utah State is a 1.5-point favorite, while the total points scored are set at 147.5. SportsLine’s Projection Model, which has a strong track record of accuracy in NCAA Tournament predictions, has analyzed the matchup extensively. The model has simulated the game 10,000 times and concluded that the total points scored will exceed the over/under in 60% of simulations. Additionally, the model identifies one side of the spread as a strong bet, with a 60% chance of cashing in the simulations. The Aggies’ recent success in the Mountain West Tournament and their strong regular-season performance suggest they are well-prepared for the challenge. Villanova’s experience in high-stakes games, including their Big East Tournament loss, may influence their approach. The outcome will depend on factors such as Utah State’s ability to maintain their offensive efficiency and Villanova’s defensive adjustments.#ncaa_tournament #big_east_conference #villanova #mountain_west_conference #utah_state
Providence Friars vs. Butler Bulldogs Game Preview: March 11, 2026 Location: Madison Square Garden | Tournament Context: Big East Conference Key Matchup Insights: Historical Performance: Providence has a strong record against Butler, going 9-4 straight-up (SU) in their last 13 meetings and 8-1 against the spread (ATS) in the same span. Butler struggles in March, with a 3-7 ATS record in their last 10 games played in March. The total score has leaned toward the OVER in 12 of Providence’s last 17 games and 6 of Butler’s last 7 games against Providence. Recent Trends: Providence is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games as a favorite and 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games. However, they are 0-8 SU in their last 8 March games. Butler is 1-4 SU in its last 5 home games on a Wednesday and 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games overall. Conference Context: Both teams have faced Big East opponents recently, with Butler posting a 5-2 ATS record in such matchups. Game-by-Game Stats (Last 10 Games): Providence Friars: | Date | Opponent | Score | SU | Line | Total | ATS | FG% | FT% | 3PTM | |------------|----------|-------|-----|------|-------|------|------|------|------| | Mar 7, 2026| GTOWN | 79-80| L | +1.5 | 157.50| W/O | 48.21| 66.67| 13 | | Mar 4, 2026| MARQ | 56-78| L | -3.5 | 161.50| L/U | 30.91| 71.43| 7 | | Feb 28, 2026| CREI | 79-76| W | +3.5 | 166.50| W/U | 50.79| 87.50| 8 | | Feb 25, 2026| XU | 94-84| W | -5.5 | 170.50| W/O | 54.10| 76.00| 9 | | Feb 21, 2026| DPU | 71-68| W | +2.5 | 152.50| W/U | 51.02| 61.90| 8 | | Feb 14, 2026| SJU | 69-79| L | +7.5 | 167.50| L/U | 33.33| 83.33| 5 | | Feb 11, 2026| SETON | 80-87| L | +4.5 | 150.50| L/O | 49.02| 94.12| 14 | | Feb 7, 2026 | DPU | 90-72| W | -4 | 153.50| W/O | 58.93| 60.#madison_square_garden #big_east_conference #providence_friars #butler_bulldogs #march_11_2026
Xavier Women's Tennis Team Sweeps Duals, Bolsters Season Record The Xavier women's tennis team delivered a commanding performance, securing two decisive 4-0 victories in a single day at Orlando. The Musketeers dominated both matches, defeating Creighton and UPenn to extend their winning streak and demonstrate growing strength in the season. This dual sweep marks a pivotal moment for the team, signaling a shift in their competitive trajectory. Xavier’s 4-0 wins over both opponents highlight their ability to execute under pressure, with each match concluding without a single point surrendered. The team’s overall record now stands at 7-7 for the season, reflecting a mix of strong performances and areas needing refinement. While the results are impressive, the Musketeers’ matches were not without challenges. Both duals ended with unfinished play, suggesting potential weaknesses that could be exploited by stronger opponents in future contests. Looking ahead, Xavier faces critical matchups as they continue their schedule. The team is set to take on Cleveland State on Sunday, March 22, and will host Arizona on Thursday, March 19. These upcoming games will test the Musketeers’ ability to maintain their momentum against varying levels of competition. A strong showing against Arizona, in particular, could solidify their position in the BIG EAST conference. The victories underscore Xavier’s potential as a formidable force in the league, but the unfinished elements of their matches serve as a reminder of the need for consistency. Addressing these gaps will be essential for the team to build resilience and sustain success in high-stakes competitions. As they prepare for their next challenges, the Musketeers aim to translate their current form into sustained dominance.#creighton_university #xavier_university #musketeers #upenn #big_east_conference
