Butler Basketball: Keys for the Bulldogs in their rematch against Purdue

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs looks on against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs looks on against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Butler basketball extended their first-round winning streak by knocking off Arkansas on Friday. What will the Dawgs need to focus on to beat Purdue?

“We. Are. Still. Here.” The everlasting words of Joel Cornette ring through the ears of Butler basketball fans throughout the country with every win in the NCAA Tournament. For the seventh consecutive time, the Bulldogs snagged a first-round victory in the Big Dance with an upset (sort of) win over the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, 79-62.

Even though Butler is seeded 10th in the East Region, they are a dangerous team to face. They have one of the best duos in the country in Kelan Martin and Kamar Baldwin that can go out and practically win games on their own. In the second round, the journey will not any easier for the Bulldogs.

In a battle that will send one team to the Sweet 16, Butler will face Purdue. This in-state rivalry is already played every other year but this one has a lot more meaning. During the regular season, the Boilermakers dominated the Bulldogs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, 82-67, in December. Both teams have clearly changed since that meeting but an injury is the biggest storyline.

In Purdue’s first-round win over Cal State Fullerton, star big man Isaac Haas injured his elbow. Per an announcement by the school, the senior fractured his elbow, which will cause him to miss the entire rest of the tournament.

This will obviously have major implications on this second round matchup but Butler will still have its hands full with Purdue. Here are some keys to the game for the LaVall Jordan’s Bulldogs (All statistics found via T-Rank and Sports-Reference.)