Butler Basketball: Breaking down the non-conference schedule

MILWAUKEE, WI - MARCH 16: A Butler Bulldogs cheerleader cheers in the second half against the Winthrop Eagles during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center on March 16, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 09: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Texas Longhorns reacts on the bench during the quarterfinal game of the Big 12 Basketball Tournament against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the Sprint Center on March 9, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

PK80 Tournament

Furman at Butler, November 18th

Although not in the tournament format, each team playing in the PK80 has been assigned a home game prior to tournament play. For Butler, this happens to be Furman. Furman had a solid season a year ago, going 14-4 in the Southern Conference and 23-12 overall. They have also hired former Butler point guard Tyler Lewis as their video coordinator.

Texas vs. Butler, November 23rd in Portland, Oregon

In the tournament opener for Butler, they will take on the Texas Longhorns. Texas lost big man Jarrett Allen to the NBA, but a star-studded recruiting class comes in. Nationally ranked at #5 according to 247Sports, Mohamed Bamba leads this talented recruiting class with four top-100 recruits. Texas is very young and talented, and Butler will definitely have their hands full in the first round of this tournament.

Duke/Portland State, November 24th in Portland, Oregon

The second round match-up for Butler depends on the outcome of their game with Texas and the outcome of the first round match-up between Duke and Portland State. Portland State went 15-16 last season out of the Big Sky Conference while Duke went 28-9 out of the ACC. If Butler were to defeat Texas, it seems as though Duke would be the likely second round match-up. Grayson Allen heads the Duke roster next to another talented recruiting class.

TBD vs. Butler, November 27th in Portland, Oregon

Butler could play Florida, Stanford, Gonzaga, or Ohio State in this game. Remember, Ohio State is now coached by former Butler head coach Chris Holtmann.