Villanova Wildcats [11-2 (2-0)] at Butler Bulldogs [10-4(1-2)]
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
When: Saturday, Jan. 3 at 12:00 PM
Betting Line: Villanova -1.5 (subject to change)
How to Watch:
TNT, truTV
How to Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Net Rankings: Villanova 25, Butler 45 (Quad 1 opportunity)
KenPom: Villanova 28, Butler 47
Torvik: Villanova 38, Butler 48
About Butler: Villanova started its conference schedule against the teams selected to finish last and third-to-last in the Big East, and now is set to face the coaches’ choice to finish second-to-last. Like Seton Hall, the Bulldogs have shown that they are much better than that. Butler has a neutral-site win over Virginia on its resume, as well as wins over South Carolina and Northwestern. Losses at SMU, Creighton and UConn are nothing to be ashamed of. The only blemish on the resume came in a home loss to Boise State (doubly displeasing for me, for those that care). The Bulldogs are led by Gonzaga transfer Michael Ajayi. The 6’7” Senior is a proverbial problem, averaging 16.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game. He is supplemented nicely by third-year Bulldog Finley Bizjack. The 6’4” Junior provides a balance to Ajayi on the perimeter, where he makes 34% from three on 7.1 attempts per game. His 15.9 points per game gives Butler two of the top seven scorers in the conference. Kevin Willard is familiar with the Bulldogs’ third-leading scorer, Jamie Kaiser Jr. The 6’6” sophomore played in 33 games for coach Willard at Maryland in the 2023-24 season. Kaiser Jr. is a threat from deep, shooting 41.6% and making 1.4 per game. He averages 10.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest. Jalen Jackson, a 6’2” Senior transfer from Purdue Fort Wayne, has not played Nov. 23 due to an ankle injury that he has now had surgery on. He will miss the rest of the season. Prior to that point, he was the starting point guard and fourth-leading scorer. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Butler has not played as well since that win against Virginia. Freshman guard Azavier Robinson has taken his place in the starting lineup.
