LINKS: Hoyas Host Butler, Jack greets Blue III

The Georgetown Hoyas will host the Butler Bulldogs on Saturday at Capital One Arena for a “Gray Out” at noon on the regional Fox Sports Networks (list below).

Aside from the thrill every time we see the bulldogs get together, this game is shaping up to be a big battle between two teams that are being listed as just-on-the-outside of at-large bids for the NCAA Tournament by multiple media outlets. It’s easy to dismiss this “honor” given each program’s solid history of March success, but for this year, in this tough Big East, this game is huge. One might even call it a dogfight.

Radio:

In further support of the promotional efforts for the game (and his own radio show) Coach Patrick Ewing went on the Team 980 to talk with Doc Walker and talked about the team and coaching. It’s well worth a listen, especially for those who aren’t able to catch Ewing’s radio program. Butler’s Coach LeVall Jordan called into This Week in the Big East to talk about his team and coaching for his alma mater.

Links:

@ButlerMBB Travels to the Nation’s Capital for Saturday Noon Tip with Georgetown | BUTLERSPORTS

Butler enters the game with a 13-10 record, coming off a 70-68 win over Seton Hall Saturday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs are back in action after a midweek bye. Butler played its first 10 conference games between Jan. 2 and Feb. 2 before having their first break from conference play...

THE SERIES: This will be the 14th meeting between the two programs, with all but one of those match-ups coming since Butler joined the BIG EAST prior to the 2013-14 season. Georgetown leads the series, 8-5. The Bulldogs are 3-2 on Georgetown’s home floor, winning the last three contests in Washington, D.C.

Butler Bulldogs hope rest will help them win again at Georgetown | INDYSTAR

The good: The Bulldogs have had a week off, something they had not enjoyed since New Year’s.

The bad: They play Saturday at Georgetown. Their road record is 1-5, and 4-12 in two years under coach LaVall Jordan.

The good: They are at Georgetown. The visiting team has won the past six games in this series, including three overtime victories by Butler and a 20-point comeback in their last visit to Washington.

Butler Basketball: Keys to success on the road against Georgetown | BUSTINGBRACKETS

So, as the Dawgs head to the nation’s capital for this important matchup, they have to focus on operating as a team on both ends of the floor. And while this might “start” with guards Aaron Thompson and Kamar Baldwin, accomplishing this key will be up to everyone who sees the court. Regardless of who starts or comes off of the bench, everybody should be prepared to move and stay active offensively to put up points and then keep the offensive foot on the gas pedal.

Perhaps above all others, though, I would love to see Butler’s shooters get involved in this matchup. With Paul Jorgensen, Sean McDermott, and Jordan Tucker roaming the perimeter, the Dawgs have plenty of 3-point shooting threats and they are excellent snipers in catch-and-shoot situations. If the team is able to move the ball effectively to get these guys open looks from distance, then the Dawgs will have a good chance of walking away victorious in this road game.

Butler vs. Georgetown Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 2-9-2019 | WINNERSANDWHINERS

The Bulldogs are currently ranked at 53rd in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s college basketball rankings, and they own a 1-5 road record. Butler is currently placed as a bubble team for the NCAA Tournament in ESPN’s Bracketology. The Bulldogs offense has been a weakness in conference play, and they bring an average of 72.7 points in this one, ranking them 191st overall. Butler is allowing an average of 68.6 points, placing them 110th overall.

Hoyas Weekly | NUTSANDBOLTSSPORTS

Saturday it’s a battle against Butler and a chance for another series sweep. With all five starters in double figures positive things to carry into the next game. Pretty safe to say the Hoyas are on the outside looking in terms of March Madness, but a good run here and a strong showing in the Big East Tournament you never know. And for a program that is rebuilding an NIT appearance would not be the end of the world.

Butler vs. Seton Hall: Beyond the box score | THEBUTLERCOLLEGIAN

It’s amazing what happens when threes go in. Butler took 25 threes in this game, one less than it attempted against Marquette. Instead of starting 1-of-11 like they did last time out, the Bulldogs connected on six of their first eight 3-pointers. The result was nine threes, 10 assists and 46 points at halftime. Nothing really changed in terms of Butler’s offensive approach other than shots falling at a rapid rate. All this performance did was reinforce the fact that the Bulldogs are a one-dimensional team on offense. A staggering 47 percent of Butler’s field goal attempts came from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs went 12-of-25 from deep, but they still haven’t proven they can consistently create offense in other ways.

Jordan Tucker left his dream school and found what he was looking for at Butler | THEATHLETIC

And as hard as it was for him to leave his dream school, he believes he made the right call and found the right program. “I genuinely think they care about every player from 1 to 15 here,” Tucker says. “There’s no politics. Everything is genuine. Everything is earned. I’m not the Duke recruit who came in here and started for 30 minutes and they just rolled out the red carpet for me. They treated me like everyone else. It humbled me, and I earned everything that I’ve received.”

NCAA tournament bracketology: Why Gonzaga is No. 2 seed, mid-majors could nab at-large bids | USATODAY

Others considered for at-large bid (in no particular order): Florida, Central, Arizona, Butler, Oregon, Georgetown, Oregon State, Northwestern, Providence, Saint Mary’s, Clemson.

Coverage Notes | MATTSARZSPORTS

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