Aaron Thompson brings the ball up the court. Marquette bounced Butler 76-58. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Lafakis.

DREW SANDIFER | STAFF REPORTER | dsandife@butler.edu

Having dropped four of their last six games, Butler welcomed No. 10 Marquette in what seemed to be a must-win to get some momentum for the rest of the season. While there was some changes in the starting five, it was not due to Sean McDermott’s knee injury.

So Sean McDermott's knee must be OK. He is starting for #Butler, along with Tucker, Fowler, Thompson, Baldwin.

— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) January 30, 2019

We’ll give a fighting cry! #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/ajAiZkG9Hf

— Historic Hinkle (@ButlerWarSong) January 30, 2019

Tonight was the annual Project 44 game, benefiting the bone marrow donor program, Be The Match. Text ‘ANDREW’ to 38470 to learn more.

.@ButlerMBB players wearing @JoinProject44 shirts. 🐶

@cstigall33 pic.twitter.com/3zkd1BpNs4

— Jimmy Lafakis (@JJLII30) January 30, 2019

It's Project 44 night at Hinkle. Video message from Brad Stevens bringing a standing ovation for Andrew Smith.

— Dustin Dopirak (@DustinDopirak) January 30, 2019

As for the game, both offenses started off rather slowly. And Butler’s streaky shooter in Jordan Tucker was as cold as it was outside.

I can’t comprehend why we don’t try to manufacture more shots for Tucker.

— Shooter Flatch (@HinkleHangover) January 30, 2019

Markus Howard was an instant microwave, though, scoring 15 points in a five minute span in the first half.

HALFTIME: #Butler trails Marquette, 34-25. Rough shooting half on the whole for the Dawgs while Markus Howard…well…did Markus Howard things. #GoDawgs

— Lukas Harkins (@hardwiredsports) January 31, 2019

And refs seemed to be an issue in the game, go figure.

Replay on the board confirms that's a terrible call on Fowler, and Hinkle isn't shy about letting the officials know about it. He gets called for more straight up fouls than anyone in the country.

— Jared Grubbs (@ButlerWay) January 31, 2019

And the loss isn’t surprising given the opponent…

Man it’s almost like Marquette is ranked #10 in the country

— Thomas Petersen (@BU_Petey) January 31, 2019

but there seemed to be a lack of energy that Butler teams of the past would have given any team fits, regardless if shots were falling or not.

https://twitter.com/BarstoolButler/status/1090780316522946565

A fifth-straight NCAA Tournament bid is now looking like a thing of the past.

https://twitter.com/Section_29/status/1090781326180077569

And Butler hasn’t been the only team in the state to lose its identity in the new year.

Bad night for college basketball around these parts. I'm at Butler. Yeesh. https://t.co/entqoJqm9W

— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) January 31, 2019

Kamar Baldwin scored a team-high 16 points, while Markus Howard doubled him with 32.

That's a final from Hinkle.

#10 Marquette 76
Butler 58

The postgame press conference will be streamed live on the Butler Bulldogs Facebook page.

— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) January 31, 2019

The team will stay home to face the Seton Hall Pirates on Saturday at noon.