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 (topic to vary)
How to Watch: TNT, truTV
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How to Listen: Villanova Sports Radio Network
Net Rankings: Villanova 25, Butler 45 (Quad 1 alternative)
KenPom: Villanova 28, Butler 47
Torvik: Villanova 38, Butler 48
About Butler: Villanova began its convention schedule in opposition to the groups chosen to complete final and third-to-last within the Big East, and now’s set to face the coaches’ selection to complete second-to-last. Like Seton Hall, the Bulldogs have proven that they’re much higher than that. Butler has a neutral-site win over Virginia on its resume, in addition to wins over South Carolina and Northwestern. Losses at SMU, Creighton and UConn are nothing to be ashamed of. The solely blemish on the resume got here in a house loss to Boise State (doubly displeasing for me, for people who care). The Bulldogs are led by Gonzaga switch Michael Ajayi. The 6’7” senior is a proverbial drawback, averaging 16.6 factors and 12.3 rebounds per recreation. He is supplemented properly by third-year Bulldog Finley Bizjack. The 6’4” junior offers a steadiness to Ajayi on the perimeter, the place he makes 34% from three on 7.1 makes an attempt per recreation. His 15.9 factors per recreation offers Butler two of the highest seven scorers within the convention. Kevin Willard is acquainted with the Bulldogs’ third-leading scorer, Jamie Kaiser Jr. The 6’6” sophomore performed in 33 video games for coach Willard at Maryland within the 2023-24 season. Kaiser Jr. is a menace from deep, capturing 41.6% and making 1.4 per recreation. He averages 10.7 factors and 5.3 rebounds per contest. Jalen Jackson, a 6’2” senior switch from Purdue Fort Wayne, has not performed Nov. 23 resulting from an ankle damage that he has now had surgical procedure on. He will miss the remainder of the season. Prior to that time, he was the place to begin guard and fourth-leading scorer. I don’t assume it’s a coincidence that Butler has not performed as nicely since that win in opposition to Virginia. Freshman guard Azavier Robinson has taken his place within the beginning lineup.