BEN SIECK | Sports Editor For all of its flaws, college basketball has one thing down to perfection. The opening weekend of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament has no rival in terms of entertainment value. It is any hoops fan’s dream. It is a complete inundation of basketball—48 games over the course of…
Team reflects on inaugural Big East season
MATTHEW VANTRYON | Asst. Sports Editor The Butler men’s basketball team went into this year’s basketball campaign with more questions than answers. The Bulldogs concluded their season with the same predicament. The first question was the move to the Big East—a conference swept up in its own flurry of changes. “Out with the old, in…
Bulldogs set to take on Villanova
MATTHEW VANTRYON | Asst. Sports Editor Butler will try to snap a six-game skid as the team travels to face to No. 8 Villanova tonight. The Wildcats (24-3, 12-2) are coming off a win over St. John’s and have won nine of their last 10 games. Villanova defeated Butler 76-73 in overtime at Hinkle Fieldhouse…
Dawgs fall to St. John’s
MATTHEW VANTYRON | Asst. Sports Editor It was a tale of two halves on Tuesday night as Butler visited St. Johns (18-9, 8-6). A hot first-half Butler offense went ice cold as the game wound down, and Butler (12-14, 2-12) fell 77-52. Butler played one of its better halves in recent memory in the first…
Worst in show: Bulldogs routed by Xavier, fall to Big East cellar
MATTHEW VANTRYON | Asst. Sports Editor Indiana Pacers stars Paul George, David West and George Hill visited Hinkle Fieldhouse on Tuesday night. Xavier men’s basketball coach Chris Mack jokingly mentioned in his press conference that he wished the trio could suit up for his team. Brandon Miller likely wishes the same. The Butler basketball season…
Channel leaves students in the dark
RHYAN HENSON | Multimedia Editor The Fox Sports 1 television partnership with Big East Conference basketball has put Butler men’s and women’s basketball on more than 90 million television screens around the country. However, those who use Butler’s standard cable do not get the channel. Students who have not purchased Bright House’s premium package have…
Former player Smith diagnosed with cancer
MATTHEW VANTRYON | Asst. Sports Editor When those close to him describe the 6-11, 23-year-old Butler University graduate, one word comes to mind: fighter. Former men’s basketball center Andrew Smith fought his way onto the court as a freshman during Butler’s first NCAA National Championship tournament run. He fought in the paint for parts of…
Big East woes continue
MATTHEW VANTRYON | Asst. Sports Editor It was the same story on a different night for the Butler men’s basketball team, as the Bulldogs (12-10, 2-8) traveled to Marquette last night. Butler had a double-digit lead in the second half, but saw it slip away and ended up on the short end of a 69-62…
Inaugural Big East season update: Butler’s athletics department weighs in on the changes taking place off the court
BEN SIECK | Sports Editor The Butler men’s basketball team’s inaugural season in the Big East Conference has been difficult at times on the hardwood. Off the hardwood, however, Butler is flourishing when it comes to the team. Associate Athletic Director Mike Freeman said the team may be in a rough patch—currently sitting at 2-7…
Players, coaches weigh in on first Big East season
MATTHEW VANTRYON | Asst. Sports Editor The Butler men’s basketball team’s 2013-2014 season has mirrored the transformation of Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde. After a 10-2 start in non-conference play, it appeared the Bulldogs’ inaugural season in the Big East Conference might be one for the history books. The team has struggled out of the…