Kamar Baldwin directs the offense in Butler’s 95-68 win over Northern Illinois. Baldwin finished the game with 13 points. Photo by Jimmy Lafakis.
DREW SANDIFER | STAFF REPORTER | dsandife@butler.edu
As Butler looked to hone their skills before their matchup with Indiana next week, eyes were looking at the offensive end for the Bulldogs to look for signs of improvement. They were not disappointed.
Hinkle was prestine, that wasn’t a surprise.
Ahhhh… @HinkleFH who’s the pretty girl? You the pretty girl! 😍#BasketballCathedral 🏀⛪️ pic.twitter.com/7vvOYBJdTw
— Historic Hinkle (@ButlerWarSong) December 8, 2018
Butler SPRINTED out of the gate. And Sean McDermott was in the middle of it.
So that happened: Sean McDermott has five 3s and 15 points in 11 minutes.#Butler
— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) December 8, 2018
Sean… pic.twitter.com/5i6uQT0XUC
— Shooter Flatch (@HinkleHangover) December 8, 2018
And others joined in the fun.
Dawgs have hit 9 threes today in about 12 minutes. They hit 9 threes total in their game be Brown
— Ari Kasle (@AKasle_BU) December 8, 2018
You make a 3! You make a 3! Everybody makes a 3!!!!! pic.twitter.com/vKObcWTBaf
— Fake Brad Stevens (@FakeBradStevens) December 8, 2018
Butler’s defense impressed too, holding the Huskies to a rough-shooting first half.
1H U8: #Butler is ALL OVER Northern Illinois right now, leading 41-13. Dawgs are shooting 9-for-13 from distance. They have also recorded 12 assists on 15 made baskets with NO turnovers. Showing no struggles against man or zone defense.
Basically a flawless start. #GoDawgs
— Lukas Harkins (@hardwiredsports) December 8, 2018
But you know what they always say, you have to put the ball in the hole to win.
Dawgs right now pic.twitter.com/GZFU2MIgSQ
— Thomas Petersen (@BU_Petey) December 8, 2018
It was a welcome sight for a Butler team that had struggled offensively in recent games.
https://twitter.com/BarstoolButler/status/1071529494303916039
The rest of the half finished as expected. NIU coach Mark Montgomery had some thoughts that Bulldogs are ecstatic to hear.
“If Butler continues to shoot like that, they will win the Big East running away.” -Northern Illinois head coach Mark Montgomery pic.twitter.com/nStEiqtdBj
— Jimmy Lafakis (@JJLII30) December 8, 2018
Around the conference, Cincinnati took down cross-rival Xavier.
Any day when Butler wins and Xavier loses is a very good day.
— Scott Bridge (@ScoBridge) December 8, 2018
Nate Fowler has struggled in the past few games, and fans are starting to wonder when/if a change will happen.
https://twitter.com/Section_29/status/1071540133445468160
At the end of the day, a win is a win, but this was the performance the team was looking for. Especially because of who they are playing next week.
A look at the final numbers from today's 95-68 win… pic.twitter.com/Zybt2b0QV1
— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) December 8, 2018
The Bulldogs will next play as part of the Crossroads Classic, where they will take on the Indiana Hoosiers. The game is at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in downtown Indianapolis. The game will tip at 3:45 on Dec. 15 and will air on CBS.