Butler Bulldogs men's basketball

The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school's team currently competes in the Big East Conference. They play their home games at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Butler Bulldogs
2023-24 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team
UniversityButler University
All-time record1,560–1,114 (.583)
Head coachThad Matta (2nd season)
ConferenceBig East
LocationIndianapolis, Indiana
ArenaHinkle Fieldhouse
(Capacity: 9,100)
NicknameBulldogs
Student sectionDawg Pound
ColorsBlue and white[1]
   
Uniforms
Home jersey
Team colours
Home
Away jersey
Team colours
Away


NCAA tournament runner-up
2010, 2011
NCAA tournament Final Four
2010, 2011
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
2010, 2011
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
1962, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2017
NCAA tournament appearances
1962, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Conference tournament champions
1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2011
Conference regular season champions
1933, 1934, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

History

Butler competed as part of the Horizon League since its founding, and played basketball in other regional conferences before that, including the Missouri Valley Conference. In 2012 they left the Horizon League for the Atlantic 10 and the year after, moved to the Big East.

Despite having played in a mid-major conference, Butler rose to national prominence in the late 1990s. They ranked in most media polls for all but a few weeks from the 2006–07 season to the 2011–12 season, and competed in the postseason every year since 1997, except for 2004, 2005, and 2014. In the 2010 NCAA tournament, Butler was the National runner-up to Duke, advancing to the National Championship Game after defeating Michigan State in the Final Four.[2] With a total enrollment of only 4,500 students, Butler is the smallest school to play for a national championship since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.[3] The Bulldogs also went to the championship game in the following NCAA tournament, falling to UConn after defeating VCU in the Final Four. With the victory over VCU, Butler became the first mid-major program to reach the championship game in successive seasons since 1979, when seeding of the tournament began, and the only team from the state of Indiana to reach back-to-back championship games. The Bulldogs also won the National Championship in 1927, though it was before March Madness so it does not count for NCAA records.[2]

After spending one season in the Atlantic 10 Conference, Butler moved into the realigned basketball-only Big East Conference for the 2013–14 season. Their first season was mediocre, finishing 9th out of 10 teams with a 14–17 record, their first losing record since 2004–05. In their second season, despite being picked to finish 7th, the Bulldogs surprised many by finishing tied for second place in the conference. Butler finished the 2015–16 season in a tie for fourth place in Big East play with a record of 21–11, 10–8 in conference and receiving a bid to the NCAA tournament where they advanced to the Second Round.

Basketball community

Because of the school's history of basketball success, location in the heart of the land of "Hoosier Hysteria", and lack of a scholarship football program, the Butler University fan base is primarily basketball-oriented. Other athletics enjoy substantial followings of current students and alumni, but only basketball has garnered interest from a national audience.

Two studies estimated that television, print, and online news coverage of Butler's 2010 and 2011 appearances in the NCAA tournament championship game resulted in additional publicity for the university worth about $1.2 billion. In an example of the "Flutie effect", applications rose by 41% after the 2010 appearance.[4] In June 2011, USA Today ranked Butler as one of the top five colleges making use of social media.[5] Specific to basketball, Butler's mascot, Butler Blue,[6][7] the men's basketball program,[8] head coach LaVall Jordan,[9] and other coaches have university-endorsed Twitter accounts. Also, online communities Butler Hoops[10] and /r/ButlerUniversity[11] exist to facilitate discussion among fans. In 2013, a student-run podcast, called the "Front Row Hoopcast,[12]" was started to give commentary and insight to Butler Basketball from the student perspective.

In recent years, the Butler program has also received national attention for its philosophy to the game, which it calls "The Butler Way". At its core, The Butler Way calls for complete commitment and exalts teamwork above self.[13]

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Bulldogs have appeared in 16 NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 24–16.[14]

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1962–First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional Third Place Game		Bowling Green
Kentucky
Western Kentucky		W 56–55
L 60–81
W 87–86
1997No. 14First RoundNo. 3 CincinnatiL 69–86
1998No. 13First RoundNo. 4 New MexicoL 62–79
2000No. 12First RoundNo. 5 FloridaL 68–69 OT
2001No. 10First Round
Second Round		No. 7 Wake Forest
No. 2 Arizona		W 79–63
L 52–73
2003No. 12First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		No. 5 Mississippi State
No. 4 Louisville
No. 1 Oklahoma		W 47–46
W 79–71
L 54–65
2007No. 5First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		No. 12 Old Dominion
No. 4 Maryland
No. 1 Florida		W 57–46
W 62–59
L 57–65
2008No. 7First Round
Second Round		No. 10 South Alabama
No. 2 Tennessee		W 81–61
L 71–76 OT
2009No. 9First RoundNo. 8 LSUL 71–75
2010No. 5First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		No. 12 UTEP
No. 13 Murray State
No. 1 Syracuse
No. 2 Kansas State
No. 5 Michigan State
No. 1 Duke		W 77–59
W 54–52
W 63–59
W 63–56
W 52–50
L 59–61
2011No. 8First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game		No. 9 Old Dominion
No. 1 Pittsburgh
No. 4 Wisconsin
No. 2 Florida
No. 11 VCU
No. 3 Connecticut		W 60–58
W 71–70
W 61–54
W 74–71 OT
W 70–62
L 41–53
2013No. 6First Round
Second Round		No. 11 Bucknell
No. 3 Marquette		W 56–68
L 72–74
2015No. 6First Round
Second Round		No. 11 Texas
No. 3 Notre Dame		W 56–48
L 64–67 OT
2016No. 9First Round
Second Round		No. 8 Texas Tech
No. 1 Virginia		W 71–61
L 69–77
2017No. 4First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen		No. 13 Winthrop
No. 12 Middle Tennessee
No. 1 North Carolina		W 76–64
W 74–65
L 80–92
2018No. 10First Round
Second Round		No. 7 Arkansas
No. 2 Purdue		W 79–62
L 73–76

*Following the introduction of the "First Four" round in 2011, the Round of 64 and Round of 32 were referred to as the Second Round and Third Round, respectively, from 2011 to 2015. Then from 2016 moving forward, the Round 64 and Round of 32 will be called the First and Second rounds, as they were prior to 2011.

NIT results

The Bulldogs have appeared in nine National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–9.[15]

Year Seed Round Opponent Result
1958N/AFirst RoundSt. John'sL 69–76
1959N/AFirst Round
Quarterfinals		Fordham
Bradley		W 94–80
L 77–83
1985N/AFirst RoundIndianaL 57–79
1991N/AFirst RoundWyomingL 61–63
1992N/AFirst RoundPurdueL 56–82
1999N/AFirst Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals		Bradley
Old Dominion
Clemson		W 51–50
W 75–68
L 69–89
2002N/AFirst Round
Second Round		Bowling Green
Syracuse		W 81–69
L 65–66
2006#8Opening Round
First Round		Miami (OH)
Florida State		W 53–52
L 63–67
2019#5First RoundNebraskaL 76–80

CBI results

The Bulldogs have appeared in one College Basketball Invitational. Their record is 2–1.

Year Round Opponent Result
2012First Round
Quarterfinals
Semifinals		Delaware
Penn
Pittsburgh		W 75–58
W 63–53
L 62–68 OT

Bulldogs in the NBA

NBA & ABA players who attended Butler University[16]

Bulldogs in the NBA G League

Bulldogs in international leagues
  • Tyler Wideman, player in Nuova Pallacanestro Vigevano 1955 Serie A2 Italian Championship

Coaching history
Coach Years Win–loss Win % Conference titles NCAA Tourn.
appearances
Harlan Page1920–192698–36.7310
Tony Hinkle1926–1942,1945–1970560–392.58861
Frank Hedden1942–194518–15.5450
George Theofanis1970–197779–105.4292
Joe Sexson1977–1989143–188.4321
Barry Collier1989–2000196–132.59823
Thad Matta2000–2001, 2022–Present38–26.59411
Todd Lickliter2001–2007131–61.68232
Brad Stevens2007–2013166–49.77245
Brandon Miller2013–201414–17.4520
Chris Holtmann2014–201770–31.69303
LaVall Jordan2017–202283–74.52901

Awards

Information on the awards comes from the 2009–2010 media guide.[19]

Record

Record vs. Big East opponents

Source[20]

All-time leading scorers
See also: Butler Bulldogs men's basketball statistical leaders
RankNameYearsPoints
1Chad Tucker1983–19882,321
2Kelan Martin2014–20182,047
3Darrin Fitzgerald1983–19872,019
4Kamar Baldwin2016–20201,956
5Kellen Dunham2012–20161,946
6Matt Howard2007–20111,939
7A. J. Graves2004–20081,807
8Lynn Mitchem1979–19831,798
9Darin Archbold1988–19921,744
10Billy Shepherd1969–19721,733
11Jermaine Guice1990–19941,607
12Darren Fowlkes1985–19891,543
13Roosevelt Jones2011–2013, 2014–20161,533
14Wayne Burris1973–19771,531
15Shelvin Mack2008–20111,527
16Jon Neuhouser1994–19981,485
17Bobby Plump1954–19581,439
18Keith Greve1951–1954, 1957–19581,400
19Jeff Blue1961–19641,392
20Rylan Hainje1998–20021,388
21Khyle Marshall2010–20141,373

Sources of information[21][22][20]

Tournament titles
SeasonTournamentResults
1923–24AAU National TournamentW vs. Schooley-Woodstock 34–29
W vs. Hillyards 35–29
W vs. Kansas St. Teachers 40–21
W vs. K. C. Athletic Club 30–26
1947–48Hoosier ClassicW vs. Purdue 52–50
W vs. Indiana 64–51
1948–49Hoosier ClassicW vs. Indiana 64–55
W vs. Purdue 47–43
1960–61Hoosier ClassicW vs. Illinois 70–68
W vs. Purdue 65–63
1996–97MCC TournamentW vs. Milwaukee 48–36
W vs. Green Bay 57–52OT
W vs. UIC 69–68
1997–98MCC TournamentW vs. Loyola 62–53
W vs. Wright State 67–48
W vs. Green Bay 70–51
1999–00MCC TournamentW vs. Loyola 61–57
W vs. Milwaukee 65–51
W vs. Detroit 62–43
2000–01MCC TournamentW vs. Loyola 78–52
W vs. Wright State 66–58
W vs. Detroit 53–38
2001–02Top of the World ClassicW vs. Radford 73–56
W vs. Delaware 76–59
W vs. Washington 67–64
2001–02Hoosier ClassicW vs. Samford 45–37
W vs. Indiana 66–64
2006–07NIT Tip-OffW vs. Notre Dame 71–69
W vs. Indiana 60–55
W vs. Tennessee 56–44
W vs. Gonzaga 79–71
2007–08Great Alaska ShootoutW vs. Michigan 79–65
W vs. Virginia Tech 84–78
W vs. Texas Tech 81–71
2007–08Horizon League TournamentW vs. Illinois-Chicago 66–50
W vs. Cleveland State 70–55
2009–10Horizon League TournamentW vs. Milwaukee 68–59
W vs. Wright State 70–45
2010–11Diamond Head ClassicW vs. Utah 74–62
W vs. Florida State 67–64
W vs. Washington State 84–68
2010–11Horizon League TournamentW vs. Cleveland State 76–68
W vs. Milwaukee 59–44
2016–17Continental Tire Las Vegas InvitationalW vs. Vanderbilt 76–66
W vs. Arizona 69–65
2019–20CBE Hall of Fame ClassicW vs. Missouri 63-52
W vs. Stanford 68-67

References
  1. Butler Athletics Visual Identity Guide (PDF). November 29, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  2. "NCAA basketball tournament History: Butler Bulldogs – ESPN". Espn.go.com. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  3. Neville, Susan S.,Butler's Big Dance. Indiana University Press, 2010
  4. Dosh, Kristi (March 2012). "Tournament pays handsomely for schools". ESPN. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
  5. "The 20 colleges making the best use of social media | USA TODAY College". www.usatodayeducate.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011.
  6. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  7. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  8. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  9. "Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2014-03-31.
  10. "butlerhoops.com". butlerhoops.com. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  11. "Butler's Reddit Community". reddit.com. 2012-12-02. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  12. "Front Row Hoopcast". frontrowhoopcast.com. 2014-01-03. Archived from the original on 2014-06-05. Retrieved 2014-06-02.
  13. Woods, David (2007-02-15). "'Butler Way' includes sense of urgency". Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  14. "Butler". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-03-31.
  15. "2008–2009 Media Guide: History and Records Section" (PDF). Grfx.cstv.com.
  16. "NBA & ABA Players Who Attended Butler University". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  17. "Former Butler Bulldog signs with Pacers". The Indianapolis Star.
  18. http://www.app.com/article/A4/20110412/SPORTS/104120354/Still-living-hoop-dream
  19. "2009–10 Butler Men's Basketball Media Guide – Butler". Butlersports.com. Archived from the original on 2014-03-19. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  20. "2016_17_MBB_Media_Guide_Complete.pdf – Butler Bulldogs" (PDF). butlersports.com. Retrieved 2017-06-13.
  21. "BUTLER OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE – Men's Basketball". Butlersports.cstv.com. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
  22. "Butler University – The Official Athletics Site". Butlersports.cstv.com. Retrieved 2014-03-19.
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