Short-handed Providence seeking sweep of Butler

Providence will once again have to lean on a next-man-up mentality when it heads to Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon for a Big East Conference clash with Butler.The Friars (11-12, 5-7) haven’t been able to escape the injury bug, with their latest loss being Jabri Abdur-Rahim. The fifth-year guard is done for the season due to a torn meniscus in his knee, an injury sustained in a 68-66 loss to then-No. 15 St. John’s last weekend.Abdur-Rahim joins Bryce Hopkins (knee) as Providence players on the shelf with season-ending injuries, and the Friars also didn’t have Wesley Cardet Jr. (thigh) for their 80-69 home loss to Creighton on Wednesday.Corey Floyd Jr. went for 16 points and Jayden Pierre added 14, but Providence simply didn’t have enough firepower against the Bluejays. Still, Friars coach Kim English is trying to make the best of his team’s situation.”It’s been the story of our season,” English said of having players in and out of the lineup due to injury. “Preseason, in season, late season — injuries have been a theme. And it’s very disappointing. But I’m a basketball coach. I coach the players that we have.”Providence won the first meeting against Butler 84-65 at home on Jan. 8. Pierre and Bensley Joseph scored 18 apiece, Cardet had 17 and Ryan Mela added 10 points and 15 rebounds.