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Butler Basketball: Who will the Bulldogs play in the PK80 Tournament?

By Lukas Harkins

Jan 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann talks with forward Tyler Wideman (4) on the sideline in the first half of the game against the Providence Friars at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Butler Bulldogs beat Providence Friars 78-61. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann talks with forward Tyler Wideman (4) on the sideline in the first half of the game against the Providence Friars at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Butler Bulldogs beat Providence Friars 78-61. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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After a very successful 2016-17 campaign, Butler basketball will play in the PK80 Tournament this upcoming season. Who will they match up with?

A season ago, the Butler Bulldogs finished 25-9 in one of their most successful seasons as a program. Although not as good as their back-to-back appearances in the National Championship game a few years back, this was their first trip back to the Sweet 16 since then.

The Bulldogs came away with some monster wins, including a season sweep of Villanova, en route to a second-place finish in the Big East Conference. After receiving a four seed by the NCAA Tournament committee, Butler defeated Winthrop and Middle Tennessee to make the Sweet 16. Their run was then stopped by North Carolina, who went on to win the National Championship.

Related Story: Five best games of Butler's 2016-17 season

Heading into next season, Butler loses their fair share of seniors. Andrew Chrabascz, Kethan Savage, Avery Woodson, and Tyler Lewis were all major parts of the rotation a season ago and will be missed. Yet, the team brings back star Kelan Martin and an All-Freshman player in the Big East in guard Kamar Baldwin.

The biggest recruit this past season was Kyle Young, a 6’6″ forward who should see plenty of minutes. The team also brings back junior big man Nate Fowler, who will see extensive playing time following the graduation of Chrabascz.

As the Bulldogs look forward to the 2017-18 campaign, the PK80 Tournament looms ahead, featuring several top-tier programs. In the first round, Butler will be matched up against Shaka Smart and the Texas Longhorns. Texas is coming off of a disappointing 11-20 season that left them far from tournament contention. Yet, Smart has lots of talent on his roster. Four-star (via 247 Sports) point guard Matt Coleman as well as Mohamed Bamba, one of the top recruits in the country, will be on the team in this upcoming season. For a look at the entire bracket, see here.

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This opening round match-up will take place on November 23rd and the victor will place the winner of Duke vs. Portland State the following day.