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Butler Basketball: Five best games of Bulldogs’ 2016-17 season

By Lukas Harkins

Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Avery Woodson (0) celebrates defeating Villanova University 66-58 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Avery Woodson (0) celebrates defeating Villanova University 66-58 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Kamar Baldwin(3) celebrates with teammates after hitting the game winning shot to beat Northwestern University 70-68 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Kamar Baldwin(3) celebrates with teammates after hitting the game winning shot to beat Northwestern University 70-68 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Butler def. Northwestern: The Beginning of Kamar Baldwin

In just the second game of the ’16-17 season, the Butler Bulldogs took on Northwestern in the Gavitt Tipoff Games between the Big Ten and the Big East. Junior Kelan Martin was the lead man in the victory as he dropped 22 points, but Kamar Baldwin was the one who stole the show.

In just his second collegiate game, Baldwin was Kamarvelous. He came off the bench to play 28 minutes and score 11 points, including a buzzer-beating jumper that sent Hinkle Fieldhouse into a frenzy. Sure, beating Northwestern early in the season isn’t a substantially great win, but it was just the beginning of what was a tremendous season for Kamar Baldwin.

After Roosevelt Jones and Kellen Dunham graduated, there were questions surrounding Butler’s backcourt, but Kamar’s play early in the season showed everyone he was up to the challenge. Baldwin was one of the best freshmen in the country a season ago, and he earned his place on the Big East All-Freshman team.