Butler Bulldogs

The Butler Bulldogs were expected to finish in the middle of the Big East Conference in the season. In the preseason coaches’ poll, the Bulldogs were chosen to finish sixth, one spot below Seton Hall and one in front of Providence. ontinue for more Butler Bulldogs Stats.

Butler’s non-conference schedule featured several important matchups with Power 5 opponents. The Bulldogs had a hard time with the step up in competition, losing by double figures to Michigan State, Houston, and Purdue.

Butler did score a big victory in the Big East-Big 12 challenge, going on the road to beat Oklahoma, which was receiving votes at the time, 66-62 in overtime.

The Bulldogs, who started the season 8-5, have already seen two of their games postponed by COVID-19 precautions. Butler is eager to bounce back in the season after finishing 2019-20 in the pandemic-shortened season.

Butler Bulldogs Standings

Since their inception in 1924, the Butler Bulldogs men’s basketball team has carved a unique niche in college hoops. Though categorized as a mid-major program, they’ve consistently punched above their weight, earning the moniker “Cardiac Cats” for their thrilling comebacks and nail-biting finishes.

Their greatest claim to fame came in 2010, reaching the NCAA championship game as a Cinderella story, led by the legendary “Butler Way” coaching style and iconic buzzer-beater by Gordon Hayward. While they fell short of the title, their underdog run captured national attention and cemented their place in basketball history.

Beyond that magical season, the Bulldogs boast a consistent winning record, including 22 NCAA Tournament appearances and 14 conference championships. They’ve produced NBA caliber talent like Shelvin Mack and Brad Stevens, who transitioned from coaching Butler to leading the Boston Celtics. Today, the Bulldogs compete in the Big East Conference, facing powerhouse programs and aiming to add new chapters to their legacy of exciting play and unexpected triumphs. Their story is far from over, and the Butler faithful anxiously await the next thrilling run that defines their “Hoosier Hysteria” spirit.

Butler Bulldogs Betting Trends

The Butler Bulldogs, known for their Cinderella run to the 2010 NCAA championship game, have carved a unique niche in college basketball betting. Historically, they’ve been known as “dog whisperers,” often exceeding expectations when favored, but struggling against the spread as underdogs. This trend held true in their rise to prominence, where they upset higher-seeded teams throughout the 2010 tournament.

However, recent seasons have shown a shift. While still capable of pulling off upsets, the Bulldogs have become more consistent against the spread, especially at home in their iconic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Their strong defensive identity and disciplined style translate well to close games, making them a less volatile betting option.

Looking ahead, the Bulldogs remain a fascinating betting proposition. Their historical underdog success may still tempt bettors, but their recent consistency suggests they deserve respect even when favored. Ultimately, understanding their historical trends and current form is crucial for navigating the ever-evolving world of Butler Bulldogs betting.

Team History

Butler has played in Hinkle Fieldhouse since 1928. While this is no longer the case, it was the largest basketball arena in the country until 1950.

The Bulldogs mostly wallowed as a middling program during the early part of its history. Butler made its first NCAA appearance in 1962 when it reached the Sweet 16.

The new millennium has been kind to Butler. After only making the NCAA Tournament three times from 1962 to 1998, Butler has made the tournament 13 times since 2000. Since the turn of the 21st century, the Bulldogs were national runner-up in 2010 and 2011, while the Bulldogs made the Sweet 16 in 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, and 2017.

Thanks to Butler’s increased success, the Bulldogs were able to move up the college basketball ladder. After starting in the Horizon League, Butler received a promotion to the Atlantic 10 for the 2012-13 season. However, the Bulldogs then received a call to join the revamped Big East for the 2013-14 season.

Key Stats

Butler’s off to an 8-5 start. The Bulldogs score 62.8 points per game while allowing 60.8. Butler’s scoring defense ranks 31st nationally. Butler shoots 42.7 percent from the field and makes 7.7 3-pointers per game, shooting at a 33.3 percent clip.

The Bulldogs have struggled from the free-throw line, shooting 68.9 percent from the line. Butler has struggled to protect the basketball this season, ranking 216th in the NCAA with 177 turnovers, an average of 13.1 per game.

Butler doesn’t have any dynamic scorers. Chuck Harris and Jayden Taylor are the only players who average double-figure scoring, averaging 10.6 and 10.5 points per game, respectively

Butler also rebounds well collectively, but doesn’t have any player that pounds the class at a high clip. Bryce Nze leads the team by grabbing 5.3 boards per game. Let’s wait and see if they impress us on March Madness.

Championships

Butler has never won a National Championship in basketball, despite coming close in 2010 and 2011. The Bulldogs lost to Duke 61-59 in the 2010 final, while Butler led in the 2011 final against UConn at halftime before ultimately losing 53-41.

The Bulldogs, however, have won the Horizon League Tournament seven times before they left the league. Butler won in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2010, and 2011.

Butler also has won a handful of tip-off tournaments loaded with top competition. Butler won the NIT Tip-Off in 2007 by beating all major conference programs. The Bulldogs beat Notre Dame, Indiana, Tennessee, and Gonzaga on their way to a total.

Important Team Events

Brad Stevens’ first coaching job was as a 24-year-old assistant with Butler’s basketball team under Todd Lickliter. When Lickliter resigned in 2007, players in the program advocated for the school to hire the next coach from within the current staff.

Stevens was chosen over two other assistants who interviewed, becoming the second-youngest coach at the Division I level. Stevens’ energy was a perfect match for a Butler program that was already trending upward.

Stevens taking over the program would transfer Butler from mid-major curiosity to a full-fledged monster. Before leaving to take over as coach of the Boston Celtics, Stevens compiled a 77.2 winning percentage, including a 166-59 record and five appearances in the NCAA Tournament in six seasons as coach.

During Stevens’ tenure, Butler won three conference championships and reached the NCAA finals twice. The Bulldogs’ success also resulted in the program getting an invitation to join the more prestigious Atlantic 10 Tournament during conference realignment.

Top Players

Butler’s recent success has seen two players — Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack — get drafted into the NBA. Hayward, a 6-foot-8 forward, found a long career in the NBA. But he was also excellent with the Bulldogs, being named honorable mention All-American during his sophomore season. In two seasons at Butler, Hayward scored 992 points. He also averaged 14.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.

Before Mack and Hayward, Butler had gone a long time without seeing a player drafted.

Billy Shepherd was drafted by the ABA’s Virginia Squires in 1972, while the Indianapolis Olympians drafted Bob Evans and Ralph O’Brien in the 1949 and 1950 NBA drafts, respectively.

Top Coaches

Tony Hinkle leads the program with 560 wins during a tenure that stretched from 1926-1970, with a three-year break from 1942 to 1945.

Since the turn of the century, Butler’s coaching tree has helped serve as a launching pad for larger jobs.

Thad Matta, who later took Ohio State to a national championship game, was 24-8 in his one season at the helm. Todd Lickliter had a .682 winning percentage from 2001 to 2007 before moving on to coach Iowa. Chris Holtmann also started at Butler and would land at Ohio State, replacing Matta. Holtman was 70-31 during his tenure with the Bulldogs.

Current Butler coach LaVall Jordan took over for Holtman in 2017 and has compiled a 59-40 record with one appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.