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Butler vs. Kennesaw State: College basketball game preview, TV schedule

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 19: Martin (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 19: Martin (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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On opening night in college basketball, Butler and Kennesaw State will go head-to-head in historic Hinkle Fieldhouse to get their seasons underway.

Date and Time: Friday, Nov. 10 at 7:00 p.m. ET

TV Schedule: Check local listings

Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN

Welcome to the opening game of the LaVall Jordan era of Butler basketball. After a tumultuous offseason that saw former head coach Chris Holtmann leave the program for Ohio State, the Butler Bulldogs signed one of their former players and assistant coaches in LaVall Jordan as the new top dawg. On Nov. 10, this will be his opening game playing in his old stomping ground of Hinkle Fieldhouse.

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Butler vs. St. John's prediction and odds for Big East Tournament first round /

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    • For Butler, they are returning enough talent from last season’s team to compete with the best in the Big East. They might not have what it takes to repeat their second-place finish of a year ago, but Kamar Baldwin and Kelan Martin are elite collegiate players. Add in veteran big man Tyler Wideman along with strong incoming players and this team is very solid.

    In their time together so far, the Bulldogs went undefeated in their summer trip to Spain then took care of two non-Division I opponents in their exhibitions. Now entering regular season play, they will face off against Owls prior to matching up with one of the top teams in the Ivy League in Princeton on Nov. 12.

    Still, it is important that they do not get caught looking ahead, as Kennesaw State can pose a threat to the young Dawgs. Last season, the Owls struggled to get things going, finishing just 14-18 overall and 7-7 in the Atlantic Sun. They are hoping to bounce back this season, but that will be difficult to do considering the team graduated their top scorers in Kendrick Ray (21.2 ppg) and Aubrey Williams (12.9 ppg, 10.8 rpg).

    To make up for those departures, sophomores James Scott and Tyler Hooker will need to take the next step in their careers. For now, though, it seems that the Owls are going to take a step back this season and finish towards the back end of the Atlantic Sun.

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    These teams last met in 2014 and Butler handled Kennesaw State by a score of 93-51. It does not seem like there is much hope for the Owls to pull off the upset this time, either, but this is a young Butler team that could be vulnerable early in the season.

    Nonetheless, this should be a game that Butler takes control of from the beginning and is able to give their starters some rest in the second half. If all goes according to plan, the LaVall Jordan era should get off to a 1-0 start.

    Prediction: Butler 82 – Kennesaw State 64