Butler Basketball vs. Saint Louis: 2017 game preview, TV schedule, prediction

For their first game after the PK80 Tournament, Butler basketball is returning home to Hinkle Fieldhouse to take on the Saint Louis Billikens.

Matchup: Saint Louis Billikens (3-3) at Butler Bulldogs (5-2)

Tip Time: 2:00 p.m. ET on Dec. 2

TV Schedule: Fox Sports 1

Location: Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN.

Butler Bulldogs Basketball

Following an emotional victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the fifth-place game of the PK80 Tournament, Butler basketball is looking to move to 6-2 with a home victory over Saint Louis on Dec. 2. To this point in the year, the Dawgs have been solid, but have missed on their two biggest opportunities for quality wins. In their first road game, the team lost to Maryland in the Gavitt Tip-Off Games. Then, in the first game of the PK80, the team struggled tremendously shooting the ball in a loss to Texas.

For this game, specifically, the biggest question for Butler is how they will play without Sean McDermott, who is out for the next 4-6 weeks with an injury. The sophomore forward might not be as important to their success as players like Kelan Martin, Kamar Baldwin, or Tyler Wideman, but his loss could be detrimental to the team’s depth on the wing. This will Butler’s second game playing without their young sharpshooter and the team will need Nate Fowler and Henry Baddley to step up in his absence.

In addition to the loss of McDermott, the team is going to need to get both Baldwin and Martin on track. Although each player has had their own individual great games, Butler’s two stars are yet to play great in the same game. Could this be the battle that gets them on track?

As far as Saint Louis goes, they are entering this game on a three-game losing streak. These losses have come against Providence (by 27, I might add), Detroit Mercy, and Western Michigan. Although these are far from good results, the Billikens do hold an impressive victory over Virginia Tech.

Saint Louis is a team that prides itself on defense. In their first six games of this season, they are holding opponents to just 41.8% from the field and 65.7 points per game. This is excellent but their offense is very inconsistent. The Billikens are shooting 41.7% so far while putting up only 66.2 points per game, which ranks 314th in the nation (out of 351). Javon Bess (14.2 points) and Jalen Johnson (10.2 points) are currently the only two Billikens to be averaging in double figures.

The key matchup in this game will be Butler’s offense against Saint Louis’ defense. To this point in the year, Butler’s offense has been hit-or-miss while Saint Louis’ defense has been solid in shutting down the majority of their opponents. If the Billikens are able to control the pace and force Butler into poor shots, then they can stay close on the road and potentially walk away with the upset.

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Even though Saint Louis has shown the ability to come away with big victories already this season, Butler has the clear talent advantage, though. With the home crowd behind them as well, the Dawgs will likely be able to rely on the play of their stars to come away with their sixth win of the year.

Final prediction: Butler 76, Saint Louis 62