Busting Brackets
Fansided

Butler Basketball: Breaking down the non-conference schedule

By Lukas Harkins

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)
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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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Kelan Martin (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Kelan Martin (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Early December

Saint Louis at Butler, December 2nd

Definitely a down season for the Billikens in 2016-17, SLU went just 12-21 on the year and finished 11th in the Atlantic 10. The A-10 is getting better as a conference every year and they are definitely a multi-bid league now with Dayton, VCU, and Rhode Island at the top. Saint Louis was one of the lowest scoring teams in the country last season, scoring 61.4 points per game, which ranked 348th out of 351 teams. If they want to beat Butler, they will need to make shots and control the pace of the game.

Utah at Butler, December 5th

After losing to Butler in Utah last season, the Utes are traveling up to Indianapolis to face Butler this season looking for revenge. Utah had a solid season in 2016-17, although they did not reach the NCAA Tournament. Overall, they went 20-12, with an 11-7 record in the Pac-12. Utah lost leading scorer Kyle Kuzma to the NBA and will be a very young team this season. Nonetheless, Utah always seems to produce a solid team and this will be a fun non-conference battle between the Big East and the Pac-12.

Youngstown State at Butler, December 9th

Youngstown State had a bit of a rocky season last year, going 13-21 and finishing eighth in the Horizon League. They were led by Cameron Morse (22.9 points per game), and he will be returning for his senior season. It is likely that he will be guarded by Kamar Baldwin in this one, which will be a battle between two extremely fun guards. Baldwin’s defensive abilities will make things tough on Morse, and if Morse can be shut down, then Butler should run away with this one.