Butler Bulldogs men's basketball explained

Butler Bulldogs
Current:2023–24 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team
University:Butler University
Firstseason:1896–97
Conference:Big East
Location:Indianapolis, Indiana
Record:1,560–1,114
Coach:Thad Matta
Tenure:2nd, 3rd overall
Arena:Hinkle Fieldhouse
Capacity:9,100
Nickname:Bulldogs
Studentsection:Dawg Pound
H Body:13294B
H Pattern B:_thinsidesonwhite
H Shorts:13294B
H Pattern S:_blanksides2
A Body:000000
A Pattern B:_thinwhitesides
A Shorts:000000
A Pattern S:_whitesides
Ncaarunnerup:2010, 2011
Ncaafinalfour:2010, 2011
Ncaaeliteeight:2010, 2011
Ncaasweetsixteen:1962, 2003, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2017
Ncaaroundof32:2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Ncaatourneys:1962, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Conference Tournament:1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2008, 2010, 2011
Conference Season:1933, 1934, 1947, 1952, 1953, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

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.

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.[1] 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.[2] 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.

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.[3] In June 2011, USA Today ranked Butler as one of the top five colleges making use of social media.[4] Specific to basketball, Butler's mascot, Butler Blue,[5] [6] the men's basketball program,[7] head coach Thad Matta,[8] and other coaches have university-endorsed Twitter accounts. Also, online communities Butler Hoops[9] and /r/ButlerUniversity[10] exist to facilitate discussion among fans.

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.[11]

Postseason

NCAA tournament results

The Bulldogs have appeared in 16 NCAA Tournaments. Their combined record is 24–16.[12]

First Round
Sweet Sixteen
Regional Third Place Game
W 56–55
L 60–81
W 87–86
No. 14 First Round L 69–86
No. 13 First Round L 62–79
No. 12 First Round L 68–69 OT
No. 10 First Round
Second Round
W 79–63
L 52–73
No. 12 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
W 47–46
W 79–71
L 54–65
No. 5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
W 57–46
W 62–59
L 57–65
No. 7 First Round
Second Round
W 81–61
L 71–76 OT
No. 9 First RoundL 71–75
No. 5 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game
W 77–59
W 54–52
W 63–59
W 63–56
W 52–50
L 59–61
No. 8 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
Elite Eight
Final Four
National Championship Game
W 60–58
W 71–70
W 61–54
W 74–71 OT
W 70–62
L 41–53
No. 6 First Round
Second Round
W 56–68
L 72–74
No. 6 First Round
Second Round
W 56–48
L 64–67 OT
No. 9 First Round
Second Round
W 71–61
L 69–77
No. 4 First Round
Second Round
Sweet Sixteen
W 76–64
W 74–65
L 80–92
No. 10 First Round
Second Round
W 79–62
L 73–76

NIT results

The Bulldogs have appeared in ten National Invitation Tournaments. Their combined record is 5–10.[13]

N/A First Round St. John's L 69–76
N/A First Round
Quarterfinals
Fordham
Bradley
W 94–80
L 77–83
N/A First Round Indiana L 57–79
N/A First Round Wyoming L 61–63
N/A First Round Purdue L 56–82
N/A First Round
Second Round
Quarterfinals
Bradley
Old Dominion
Clemson
W 51–50
W 75–68
L 69–89
N/A First Round
Second Round
Bowling Green
Syracuse
W 81–69
L 65–66
  1. 8
Opening Round
First Round
Miami (OH)
Florida State
W 53–52
L 63–67
  1. 5
First Round Nebraska L 76–80
  1. 4
First Round MinnesotaL 72-73

CBI results

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

First 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[14]

Bulldogs in the NBA G League

Bulldogs in international leagues

Coaching history

Harlan Page1920–192698–36.73100
Tony Hinkle1926–1942,1945–1970560–392.588601
Frank Hedden1942–194518–15.54500
George Theofanis1970–197779–105.42920
Joe Sexson1977–1989143–188.43210
Barry Collier1989–2000196–132.598203
Thad Matta2000–2001, 2022–Present56–41.577101
Todd Lickliter2001–2007131–61.682302
Brad Stevens2007–2013166–49.772455
Brandon Miller2013–201414–17.45200
Chris Holtmann2014–201770–31.693033
LaVall Jordan2017–202283–74.529001

Awards

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame

National Coach of the Year

All-Americans

(*) Denotes Honorable MentionAcademic All-Americans

(*) Denotes 1st team
(**) Denotes 2nd team
(***) Denotes 3rd team

Academic All-American of the Year

McDonald's All-American

Senior Class Award

Big East Coach of the Year

Horizon League Player of the Year

Horizon League Coach of the Year

Indiana Collegiate Conference Player of the Year

Indiana Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year

MAC Most Valuable Player

Information on the awards comes from the 2009–2010 media guide.[17]

Record

Record vs. Big East opponents

Source

All-time leading scorers

See also: Butler Bulldogs men's basketball statistical leaders.

Rank Name Years Points
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[18] [19] [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 Invitational W vs. Vanderbilt 76–66
W vs. Arizona 69–65
2019–20CBE Hall of Fame Classic W vs. Missouri 63-52
W vs. Stanford 68-67

Notes and References

  1. Web site: NCAA basketball tournament History: Butler Bulldogs – ESPN . https://archive.today/20120715030054/http://espn.go.com/mens-college-basketball/tournament/history/_/team1/5468 . dead . July 15, 2012 . Espn.go.com . 2014-03-19.
  2. Neville, Susan S.,Butler's Big Dance. Indiana University Press, 2010
  3. News: Tournament pays handsomely for schools . ESPN . March 2012 . March 30, 2012 . Dosh, Kristi.
  4. Web site: The 20 colleges making the best use of social media | USA TODAY College. www.usatodayeducate.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20110628203631/http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/the-20-colleges-making-the-best-use-of-social-media . June 28, 2011.
  5. Web site: Twitter . Twitter . 2014-03-19.
  6. Web site: Twitter . Twitter . 2014-03-19.
  7. Web site: Twitter . Twitter . 2014-03-19.
  8. Web site: Twitter. Twitter. 2014-03-31.
  9. Web site: butlerhoops.com . butlerhoops.com . 2014-03-19.
  10. Web site: Butler's Reddit Community . reddit.com . 2012-12-02 . 2014-06-02.
  11. Web site: Woods . David . 'Butler Way' includes sense of urgency . Usatoday.Com . 2007-02-15 . 2014-03-19.
  12. Web site: Butler. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. 2016-03-31.
  13. Web site: 2008–2009 Media Guide: History and Records Section . Grfx.cstv.com . 2011-04-05 . 2012-11-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121112174715/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/butl/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/0809-mg-pt8-history-records.pdf . dead .
  14. Web site: NBA & ABA Players Who Attended Butler University . Basketball-Reference.com . 2014-03-19.
  15. News: Former Butler Bulldog signs with Pacers. The Indianapolis Star.
  16. Web site: Unknown. https://archive.today/20130119151125/http://www.app.com/article/A4/20110412/SPORTS/104120354/Still-living-hoop-dream . dead . January 19, 2013 .
  17. Web site: 2009–10 Butler Men's Basketball Media Guide – Butler . Butlersports.com . 2014-03-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140319163646/http://www.butlersports.com/releases/0910mbb-MEDIA_GUIDE . 2014-03-19 .
  18. Web site: BUTLER OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE – Men's Basketball . Butlersports.cstv.com . 2014-03-19.
  19. Web site: Butler University – The Official Athletics Site . Butlersports.cstv.com . 2014-03-19.
  20. Web site: 2016_17_MBB_Media_Guide_Complete.pdf – Butler Bulldogs. butlersports.com. en. 2017-06-13.