The Butler Bulldogs (13-5, 5-1) will close out an important Horizon League road trip tonight at Wright State (11-6, 4-2). The Bulldogs knocked off an undermanned Detroit team on the road Friday night, 87-64. WSU however, is coming off a 71-60 loss to Valparaiso. Before the loss to Valpo, the Raiders had won eight of their last nine games and 14 straight wins at home.
The Bulldogs are hoping to the Raiders drop their second straight at home. Butler has defeated Wright State the last seven meetings and leads the series 23-15. Raiders first year head coach Billy Donlon likes to remind the media and fans that Wright State has been the 2nd most successful team in the league the last four years or so, even before he got here. These two teams met in the Horizon League Tournament Championship last season, Butler victorious 70-45.
Shelvin Mack has been a stud all season long for the Bulldogs. The Lexington native is shaping up to be another NBA bound Butler player. He is the clear leader on the court, both charismatic and by example. He is 18 of 19 from the free throw line in league play and is averaging 14.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
Matt Howard has been a force all season long for opposing teams to contend with. He does occasionally get himself into foul trouble but senior has had maybe his best season. Howard averages 17.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest and leads the Horizon League in three-point and field goal percentage.
Butler is the most mentally and physically sound team in the Horizon league. Some call it ‘The Butler Way.’ They just do what they do. Their B game is better than most other teams’ A. Coach Donlon was adamant in shoot around that his team not take Butler lightly. This is one of their biggest games of the season so I expect the Nutter Center in Dayton to be rocking. This arena was packed to loud last season when I made the annual trip to work the television broadcast.
The success of each of these young coaches stands out to me. At 34, ‘young’ Brad Stevens is becoming an older face throughout the league. Wright State’s Billy Donlon was promoted this year after Brad Brownell left for Clemson. Donlon will turn 34 on February 10th when the Raiders play at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Catch the broadcast on WNDY, Channel 23 in Indianapolis. I am doing stats for Anthony Calhoun and Ralph Reiff would will be on the call at 7 pm.