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The Columbus Crew went on the road for the first time in 2024 and earned a 1-1 draw with Minnesota United. The Black & Gold found the breakthrough courtesy of Cucho Hernandez in the 59th minute in what was an even game. The Crew held that lead until the final seconds of the contest when Tani Oluwaseyi found the top corner of the net from a tight angle to tie the game up. Despite the shared points, fans will be disappointed the Crew were not able to hang on for all three points. Wilfried Nancy set up his team the same as he always does, but Minnesota showed an amount of fight that Columbus was not used to. Let’s dive into all the tactical decisions that went into this game. Minnesota’s first half press One thing that gave the Black & Gold trouble throughout the first half was the Loons’ press. At times Columbus looked overwhelmed trying to build out of the back, something they are not accustomed to doing. What made Minnesota’s press so potent was the structure and numbers they pressured with. On offense, Columbus likes to send both wingbacks high up the field as wingers. This means the three central defenders can spread out, with Aidan Morris and Darlington Nagbe being inside releases in the middle of the pitch. Essentially, the Crew always have five players in the back to build up. Minnesota recognized this and committed five of their own players to a systematic press that gave Columbus fits. The Loons split their team in half, pressing with five and defending with five. They practically defended in a 4-1-4-1. Striker Teemu Pukki was the lone presser up top. Behind him were Minnesota’s wingers and two midfielders in a flat four, marking the two outside center-backs and midfielders. Former Crew captain and Ohio native Wil Trapp was the lone defensive midfielder, man-marking dropping attackers for the Black & Gold. This press did not over-extend Minnesota, and it created a blanket coverage to restrict what Columbus could do in the buildup. Morris and Nagbe were tough to find due to the constant barrage of defenders behind them, so the Crew backline had to figure out other ways to advance the ball. It was a very well-constructed press by the Loons that kept the game deadlocked for almost an hour. Other teams around the league will be looking at Minnesota’s pressure in the first half for tips on how to stop Nancy’s machine. Adjusting in the second half The scales tipped in Columbus’ favor in the second half for a host of reasons. First, Nancy opted to bring former Minnesota United star Christian Ramirez off the bench in place of Alexandru Matan. Matan proved his worth throughout last season, but sometimes the game calls for a clinical veteran striker to come in. That is where Ramirez excels, and he made the Black & Gold look like a better team in the second half. Second, Minnesota eased off their press that was so potent in the first half. The Crew realized that they must bypass the Loons’ press by finding the gap between the opposition’s ranks. Columbus started spraying out long passes to the attackers’ feet, which sprang the attack. This caused Minnesota to sit back a little bit more and switch to a more man-to-man press. Third, the Black & Gold started to find their stride with the press and re-press. Both wingbacks would fly up the field to pressure along with the attackers, forcing Minnesota to play the ball long. Veteran defenders like Rudy Camacho, Steven Moreira, and Malte Amundsen along with Morris and Nagbe capitalized on those long passes, forcing turnover after turnover. So, why the 1-1 draw? Columbus did not maximize their chances on offense. They generated good scoring opportunities but just could not finish, whether it was a wayward shot or a misplaced pass. On defense, the Black & Gold fell victim to what has become a normal trend: closing games out. The Crew could have been considered the better team for 93 minutes, but one collective mishap on the long through turned three points into one. It is still very early in the season, and the Black & Gold have not performed as well as the team that beat LAFC. Despite this, there is no need for panic. As more games come and go the team will find their stride. It will only be a matter of when. Whenever it does switch on for them, the rest of the league better watch out.

Senior DJ Davis had 17 points against DePaul on Jan. 20. Photo by Makenna Frias. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team hits the road for a matchup with DePaul on March 2. The Bulldogs lost their last game in embarrassing fashion to St. John’s, 82-59. Butler is ninth in the Big East standings with a conference record of 7-11. In their last matchup with the Blue Demons, the Dawgs prevailed by 14 points, 74-60. Here is what you need to know as Butler prepares to battle DePaul. Who: Butler vs. DePaul When: March 2, 12 p.m. Where: Chicago, Illinois How to watch/listen: FS1, 1430 WXNT Stop the bleeding Butler has lost their past five games, four straight by double digits. On Feb. 2, the Bulldogs took down the no. 13 ranked Creighton Bluejays. Since then, the Dawgs are 1-6 and have completely fallen out of the NCAA Tournament picture. This matchup against DePaul could not come at a better time for Butler. The Blue Demons are 3-25, and have not won a single game in conference play this season. Earlier in the season, this would be an automatic win for the Bulldogs. Now though, it does not look as certain. DePaul has not proved they are ready to compete with the teams in the Big East, but the Dawgs have managed to go into an absolute tailspin in the month of February. One of these teams is going to have to win, the only question is who will it be? WIll Butler snap their streak and get back in the winning column? Or will DePaul grab that elusive conference win they are starved for? It will be a battle for two teams in the basement of the Big East this weekend. DePaul scouting report The Blue Demons are 3-25 this season, and are winless in conference play. They currently are dead last in the Big East standings. DePaul is led by graduate Chico Carter Jr. and sophomore Elijah Fisher. The Blue Demon duo combines for 21.2 points per game. Carter Jr., a 6’2” guard, averages 10.9 points per game on 39.4% shooting. Carter missed time due to a rib injury in January, but still leads the team in scoring average. He shoots only 32.9% from three, but can hurt opponents in different ways. Butler will need to key in on him if they want to snap the losing streak. Fisher, a 6’6” guard, brings a different skillset to the table compared to Carter Jr.. Fisher shoots an impressive 52% from the field, but a mere 27.8% from three. Expect him to drive into the paint and try to find easy baskets using his tall frame. He will be a challenge to defend for the undersized Butler guards. Butler should win this game, but nothing is certain anymore. A month ago, this team was 15-7 and projected to be seeded in the NCAA Tournament. Now they are 16-13 on a five-game losing streak. Circumstances change quickly in college basketball, so this is sink-or-swim time for the Butler Bulldogs.

Senior guard DJ Davis had 25 points in the loss versus St. John’s on Jan. 2. Photo by Elle Rotter. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team returns home  looking to break a four-game losing streak when they take on St. John’s on Feb. 28. Their most recent loss was to Seton Hall, 76-64. Butler is ninth in the Big East standings, only above basement-dwellers Georgetown and DePaul. In their last matchup with St. John’s, the Bulldogs lost 86-70. Here is what you need to know as Butler prepares to take on the Red Storm. Who: Butler vs. St. John’s When: Feb. 28, 8:30 p.m. Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse How to watch/listen: CBSSN, 1430 WXNT Having an even offensive approach Butler’s last game against Seton Hall showcased one of the ugliest offensive displays the Dawgs have put out all season. Not only were they missing shots, but they were dominated in the paint. 61.1% of Butler’s shots against the Pirates were from beyond the arc. Of the 64 points the Bulldogs scored, only 16 were scored in the paint. Not only is this type of offense unsustainable, it is downright poor. By refusing to try and establish a presence in the paint, the Dawgs became one dimensional. This, along with the 16 turnovers on the night, is what led to the offensive implosion. If Butler is to win against the Red Storm and string together victories, they will have to get back to a balanced offensive approach. Mixing open perimeter looks with high-percentage inside shots is the best way to attack any defense going forward. St. John’s scouting report The Red Storm come into this game with an overall record of 16-12 and 8-9 in conference play. They are currently seventh in the conference standings. St. John’s is led by guard Daniss Jenkins and center Joel Soriano. The Red Storm duo combines for 29.5 points per game. Jenkins, a 6’4” graduate, averages 14.8 points per game on 44.4% shooting from the field. He is also the team’s leading threat from deep, shooting 34.8% on a team-high 138 threes attempted. In the previous matchup with Butler, Jenkins scored a team-high 17 points on 50% shooting and dished out seven assists. Soriano, a 6’11” graduate, averages 14.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. He is a menace in the paint, shooting 59% from the field and leading the team in total rebounds. Soriano had a double-double last time out against the Bulldogs, with 14 points and 12 rebounds. To beat St. John’s, the first priority for Butler has to be stopping Soriano. The Dawgs have struggled in recent games to defend down low, so containing a beast like Soriano is no easy task. If the Bulldogs play tough, help defense, they will have a shot at stopping this four-game skid.

The Columbus Crew kicked off its title defense in familiar fashion with a 1-0 victory over Atlanta United. The Black & Gold were on the front foot for much of the first half, grabbing a lead courtesy of a Cucho Hernandez goal in the 27th minute. The Crew earned a penalty in the second half after Mo Farsi was brought down in the box which forced him to be subbed off due to injury. After Hernandez’s penalty was saved, Atlanta United gained momentum going forward. The Black & Gold weathered the storm to pick up three points on the first matchday of the 2024 season. Let’s dive into what Columbus did tactically to grab a win over Atlanta. Attacking down the flanks Much like last season, the Crew utilized their wide players to generate quality attacking chances. The ability to get both wingbacks high into the attack is priority number one for head coach Wilfried Nancy, and that is exactly what the Black & Gold did well. When Columbus had possession, both Yaw Yeboah and Farsi pushed high up the field into a winger position. This allowed the backline of Rudy Camacho, Malte Amundsen and Sean Zawadzki to fan out and occupy more space. The attacking trio of Hernandez, Diego Rossi and Jacen Russell-Rowe to stay in the central area of the pitch. As always, Darlington Nagbe and Aidan Morris stayed in the center of the pitch to pull the strings. An added wrinkle to the Crew’s game plan was additional overlaps from the outside center backs. At times in the attacking half, Zawadzki and Amundsen made runs up past the wingbacks to provide another wide option. This meant sometimes Camacho was the only defender back for Columbus. Nagbe and Morris stayed in their defensive midfielder positions, but Nancy threw almost nine players into the attack at times. This emphasis on using the width of the field worked out for the Crew, directly resulting in Hernandez’s goal in the 27th minute. Zawadzki possessed the ball near the midfield line on the right side of the pitch. A long switch over to Yeboah exposed Atlanta’s defense over-shifting to the right side to combat Columbus’ overload. Yeboah’s touch dragged the visitors’ outside back out of position, opening the space for Rossi behind. Another over-shift by Atlanta left Hernandez unmarked on the back post, resulting in the Colombian’s first goal of the 2024 MLS season. It is a simple concept, but it is so hard to defend. The number of wide players the Black & Gold get into the attack forces teams to become stretched out formationally. If the defense widens to mark the width, the middle of the pitch is open for the Crew’s attacking trio and midfielders. If the defense stays compact, fast forward 27 minutes into Columbus’ first game to see the result. Where did the Crew struggle? Despite picking up three points, it was not a flawless victory for the Black & Gold. After Hernandez’s penalty was saved by MLS veteran Brad Guzan, Atlanta controlled much of the game. Part of this is due to Farsi having to be substituted due to injury, but there were other causes for Columbus’ struggles as well. One of the most prominent errors was the amount of offside calls that went against the Crew. The Black & Gold had seven offside calls against them compared to Atlanta’s two. This is not a glaring issue due to how attack-minded this Columbus team is, but it is something to watch for over the next few games. The real issues arose after the penalty miss. Suddenly, Atlanta gained momentum and generated a few good chances that tested Patrick Schulte. This change of momentum showed up on the stat sheet as well. The Crew only had 49.5% possession in the game, a huge drop from their league-leading average of 57.1% in 2023. The lack of possession in the second half which allowed Atlanta to get back into the game was due to a few factors. First, the Black & Gold went away from what was working. In the first half, attacking down the wings was prioritized. In the second half, there was more emphasis on attacking through the middle of the pitch. Not only did this increase the amount of turnovers Columbus gave up, but it proved harder for the Crew to counter-press and win the ball back. This change in attacking avenue could largely be due to Farsi’s substitution, but it also could be explained by a change in the Black & Gold’s defensive tactics. While protecting a one-goal lead, the wingbacks were a little more hesitant to fly up the field and be caught out of position. This meant there were not as many attacking options available out wide, which meant the Crew had to go through the middle to build the attack. It was a subtle change, but it allowed Atlanta to generate turnovers and get chances at Columbus’ defensive end. These miscues are easy fixes and will be ironed out with time. Even the defending MLS Cup champions have a little rust from time to time. Stats may indicate that it was a closer game than many anticipated, but the only stat Nancy and the Black & Gold care about is the three points they picked up.

Senior guard Posh Alexander scored 17 points in a loss to Seton Hall on Jan. 13. Photo by Jonathan Wang. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team returns to action on Feb. 24 when they take on Seton Hall, looking to snap a three game losing streak. Their most recent loss was to Villanova on Feb. 20 by 10 points, 72-62. Butler is tied for eighth in the Big East standings with St. John’s as the postseason draws nearer. The Dawgs were not able to pull off the victory last time out against Seton Hall, losing to the Pirates 78-72. Here is what you need to know as Butler takes on Seton Hall in a pivotal Big East showdown. Who: Butler vs. Seton Hall When: Feb. 24, 8:30 p.m. Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey How to watch/listen: FS2, 1430 WXNT Playing for the full 40 minutes Butler’s performance in the second half of their past two games has been dismal. The Bulldogs went into halftime of each of those games very much still in the contest, and came out with a lack of effort and looking defeated. Butler was outscored a combined 73-49 in the second halves of those two games. For a team with such a long tenured coach as Thad Matta, there is no excuse. This is the vital stretch of the Dawgs’ season that will decide if they get into the NCAA Tournament or not, so there is no room for error. Every game in the Big East is a battle, so Butler must rise to the occasion for the entire game, not just one half of it. Seton Hall scouting report The Pirates come into the game with a record of 17-9, and 10-5 in conference play. They are currently fourth in the conference standings. Seton Hall is led by guards Kadary Richmond and Al-Amir Dawes. That backcourt tandem averages 30.6 points per game collectively. Richmond, a 6’6” senior, is eighth in the Big East in scoring average with 16.2 points per game. Despite such a high scoring average, the Pirates’ star guard struggles from beyond the three point line, only shooting 20%. In his last matchup against Butler, he had a double-double, pouring in 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Dawes, a 6’2” senior, averages 14.4 points per game. Opposite of Richmond, Dawes is the main three-point threat for the Pirates, shooting 36.4% from beyond the arc. He shoots 40.7% from the field and is also one of the best free-throw shooters in the country, hitting on 92.9% of his attempts. The Bulldogs were able to contain him to 10 points and 0/4 shooting from three last time out. If Butler is going to win this game, they have to stop Richmond. They can not allow him to get downhill in the paint to find easy high-percentage shots. Dawes will pose an ever-present threat on the three point line, but limiting Richmond has to be priority number one.

Senior forward Jahmyl Telfort scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds in 40 minutes against Villanova. Photo courtesy of Butler Athletics. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu Butler lost their third-straight game on Feb. 20, falling 72-62 to Villanova. It is yet another back-breaking loss for a team who has aspirations beyond the Big East Tournament. The loss drops the Bulldogs to 16-11 on the season and 7-9 in conference play. The Dawgs went back and forth with the Wildcats at the start of the game, but fell behind after Tyler Burton hit a triple with 7:35 left in the first half. From there, Villanova did not look back. Butler was not able to grab a lead for the rest of the contest, ultimately plagued by poor shooting in the second half. Senior forward Jahmyl Telfort was the leader on the night for the Bulldogs, playing all 40 minutes and pouring in 19 points. Telfort also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Senior guard Posh Alexander also had a big night, scoring 15 points and grabbing six rebounds. Villanova ended up with revenge though. The Wildcats took their chances, forcing Butler into a hole and never letting up from there. It’s a massive blow to the Dawgs as they continue to drop in the conference standings just weeks ahead of the Big East Tournament. In another crushing loss for the Bulldogs, let’s go beyond the box score. Red-hot first half Both teams lit it up in the first half on the offensive end. Butler shot 51.9% from the field and 58.3% from three, while Villanova shot 60.7% on the half and 50% from beyond the arc. Despite the strong shooting from the Wildcats, the Dawgs were able to hang around for a bit, spurred on by Alexander’s 12 points in the first half. Many would think that shooting over 50% from the field would allow a team to build a lead, but that was not the case. Butler’s inability to generate stops and play tough defense in the first half is what allowed Villanova to build a nine point lead at halftime. The defensive performance in the first 20 minutes was an indication of what was to come for the Bulldogs, in what is yet another dismal loss. Yet again, defense seems to be Butler’s Achilles’ heel. Electric offensive play and efficiency seem to be canceled out by defensive inadequacy, which has become the story of the Bulldogs’ season. Same old story This is the second-straight game for Butler where the team has gone into the locker room at halftime and come back out like a completely different squad. When their shooting floundered in the second half, their weaknesses became more visible. The season-long theme of poor rebounding was showcased yet again in Finneran Pavilion. By the time the final buzzer sounded Butler had been outrebounded by 17. Villanova pulled down 37 boards, while the Bulldogs only managed to snag 20. Another catalyst of this second half collapse was the Dawgs’ inability to capitalize when the Wildcats missed shots. Villanova only shot 34.8% in the second half, which could have opened the door for Butler to get back into the game. The turning point came with 4:20 to go in the second half. Telfort splashed a three to cut Nova’s lead to six, setting up an avenue for the Bulldogs to make a run and try to win the game. From there, Butler could not generate the stops they needed to cut further into the lead. In a game the Dawgs almost had to win, they came up short again due to the same errors that have plagued them all season. With four games to go, Butler will have to be flawless to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation and climb the Big East standings.

Senior forward Jahmyl Telfort had 26 points in a win against Creighton on Feb. 2. Photo by Grace Hensley. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team will return to Hinkle on Feb. 17 looking to knock off No.17 Creighton for the second time this season. The Bulldogs lost at home last time out against Marquette 78-72, dropping to 16-9. Butler is tied for fifth in the Big East standings with Xavier and Providence. The Dawgs beat the Bluejays on the road earlier this season in a nailbiter, 99-98. Here’s what you need to know as Butler prepares to battle the Bluejays. Who: Butler vs. Creighton When: Feb. 17, 12:30 p.m. Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse How to watch/listen: FOX, 1430 WXNT Limiting turnovers One of the biggest struggles over the past two games for the Bulldogs has been how frequently they turned over the basketball. The Dawgs had 16 turnovers in their win over Providence, and 14 more in their loss against Marquette. A team has a better chance of winning if they do not give extra possessions to the opposition. That is the simple fact of basketball. Over the past two games, Butler has given the ball away too easily. They got away with it against Providence, but they were not so lucky against Marquette. Creighton is a team who likes to utilize pace on both ends of the floor, which means if the Dawgs turn the ball over they could be run out of the gym. The Bulldogs have to make a concerted effort to protect the ball and maximize their opportunities on offense if they want to upset the Bluejays for the second time this year. Creighton scouting report The Bluejays come into the game with a record of 18-7, and 9-5 in conference play. They are tied for third in the conference with Seton Hall. The Bluejays are led by guards Baylor Scheierman and Trey Alexander. That backcourt duo has accounted for 43.8% of Creighton’s total points this season. Scheierman, a 6’7” senior, averages 18.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. His height and ability to shoot makes him a nightmare to defend for opposing defenses. Scheierman shoots 44.7% from the field and 36.5% from beyond the arc. He had a double-double in his last matchup against Butler, with 26 points and 11 rebounds. Alexander, a 6’4” junior, averages 17.3 points and 4.7 assists per game. He shoots 45.1% from the field and 32% from three, making him yet another dual-scoring threat for the Bluejays. Last time out against the Bulldogs he had 22 points and 4 assists. The Bluejays do not go deep into their bench, only having two players come off the bench in their last battle with Butler. If the Bulldogs can wear down the Creighton starters and hang around, they have a good chance to complete the double over the Bluejays this season.

First-year Finley Bizjack had 19 points in the loss versus Marquette. Photo by Andrew Buckley. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team fell to No. 4 Marquette on Feb. 13 78-72. Despite playing in front of their home crowd, the Hinkle magic could not spur the Bulldogs to secure a win. Butler battled back and forth with the Golden Eagles through the first five minutes of the opening half but allowed Marquette to gain control after that and not look back. In a similar fashion to their loss at UConn, the Dawgs clawed back into the game time and time again just to watch the opposition push further in front. The Bulldogs trimmed the Golden Eagles’ lead to a mere two points with four minutes to go, only to watch Kam Jones bank in a three to put Marquette up again by five. Yet again, Butler cut the lead to three with under two minutes left, but Tyler Kolek hit a dagger triple to put the final nail in the Dawgs’ coffin. Butler’s surprise star of the night was first-year guard Finley Bizjack. Bizjack had 19 points and shot 50% from the field. Senior forward Pierre Brooks had 15 points in the Bulldogs’ losing effort as well. In another home game that went down to the wire, let’s go beyond the box score. Another game, more offensive miscues It was yet another “sloppy” performance on the offensive end by Butler with 14 turnovers on the night. This gave Marquette multiple extra possessions due to unforced errors gifted to them by the Bulldogs. “We were sloppy, and I think that was the difference,” head coach Thad Matta said. “We’ve just got to take care of the basketball and be a little bit sharper.” The difference Matta is talking about is obvious. Marquette had 15 points off of turnovers and eight fast break points. In a game where Butler only lost by six, those turnovers and extra possessions loomed large. The Dawgs will need to get to work before the Feb. 17 matchup with Creighton because the Bluejays like to go as fast as the Golden Eagles. “Creighton is another team that plays with extreme tempo,” Matta said. “We need to make shots. We did that in [the previous game versus Creighton]; we’re going to do it again here.” Getting battered down low Marquette won by attacking the interior of the Bulldogs’ defense all night long, and Butler did not have an answer. The Golden Eagles scored 59% of their total points in the paint and only shot 12 three-pointers all game. Kolek was the focal point of their offensive attack. Marquette would free Kolek on a screen to get him in the paint where he could knock down easy floaters. Kolek took only four shots from beyond the arc on a night where he torched the Dawgs with 27 points. “It’s difficult [to stop Kolek], but I’ve been preparing for it all week at practice,” Bizjack said. “I’ve got no excuses to not be able to stop him.” There was no singular player that allowed Kolek to explode on offense, but rather it was a matter of defensive switches that freed him up to get into the paint. Those picks and screens delayed the Bulldogs enough to allow Kolek and others to get around the corner and knock down open mid-range shots. “They went to a lot of middle pick-and-rolls, especially in the second half,” Matta said. “They made a couple of timely shots.” After the dust settles, this is not a back-breaking loss for the Bulldogs. Despite all the chatter around the Dawgs being a “tournament team,” Matta has one simple message. “March doesn’t matter if we don’t take care of February,” Matta said. “So we’ve got to do a better job.”

Senior DJ Davis had 21 points in the loss at UConn on Feb. 6. Photo by Elle Rotter. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team will attempt to get back to winning ways as they take on Providence on Feb. 10. The Bulldogs fell on the road to No. 1 UConn in their last matchup, dropping to 15-8. Butler is tied for sixth in the Big East standings with Providence and St. John’s. The Dawgs fell to the Friars earlier in the season in overtime, 85-75. Here’s what you need to know as Butler takes on Providence. Who: Butler vs. Providence When: Feb. 10, 2 p.m. Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse How to watch/listen: FS1, WXNT 1430 AM Defending home court After the Huskies snapped Butler’s four game win streak on Tuesday, the importance of Saturday’s game against Providence grew larger. Both the Friars and Bulldogs are tied in the Big East standings, so winning this game will give either team a leg up in the race for Big East Tournament seeding. The Dawgs perform significantly better in front of a Hinkle crowd compared to on the road. Butler is 10-2 in home games this season, compared to 3-5 on the road. With five of the eight games remaining being at home, the Bulldogs need to take advantage of their home court advantage. Providence has struggled to find wins away from home, posting a 2-5 record on the road. That being said, the Friars have owned the Bulldogs throughout their history of matchups. Butler has only beaten Providence five times, with the Friars besting the Dawgs in 19 matchups. Regardless of history or home court advantage, Saturday’s matchup could play a major role in how both teams’ seasons turn out. Whoever comes out as the victor will have an advantage heading into the postseason. Providence scouting report The Friars come into this game with a record of 15-8, and 6-6 in conference play. They are tied for sixth in the Big East standings with Butler and St. John’s. The main contributors for Providence are junior Devin Carter and graduate Josh Oduro. Those two players have accounted for 46.3% of the Friars’ total points so far this season. Carter, a 6’3” guard, leads the entire Big East in points per game with 19. His combination of physicality and shooting ability makes him one of the hardest players to defend in the country. He shoots 48.7% from the field and 38.9% from beyond the arc, making him the ultimate dual threat. Last time out against the Bulldogs he scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds to secure the win. Oduro, a 6’9” forward, averages 15.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. He also leads the Friars with 46 offensive rebounds on the season, making him a huge threat on the offensive glass. Butler sits at eighth in the Big East in defensive rebounding percentage, making Oduro a force to be reckoned with on the boards. The Bulldogs will need to keep Carter at bay and box out Oduro if they want to pick up another victory in the Big East. This game will come down to which team can get stops and win the rebounding battle. That being said, the Friars will need to account for the Hinkle magic that is always in store whenever the Dawgs take the court at home.

Senior forward Jahmyl Telfort had 17 points in the loss against UConn. Photo courtesy of Butler Athletics. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team traveled to Connecticut to take on the No. 1 team in the nation Tuesday night. The Dawgs were able to hang around all game, but ultimately fell 71-62 to the Huskies. The Bulldogs were not able to grab a lead at any point in the game but were able to keep the game within reach. UConn’s largest lead of the game was 14, but Butler kept the deficit around 10 to five for most of the contest. The Dawgs cut the Huskies’ lead to five with two and a half minutes to go, but UConn was just too much for them to handle. The home team flexed their offensive muscles in crunch time to stave off the pesky Butler team. Senior guard DJ Davis led the Bulldogs in scoring with 21 points, followed by senior forward Jahmyl Telfort with 17. The other three starters were not able to get going, combining for a mere 20 points. It was a weak night for the bench as well, only pouring in four points collectively. UConn showed why they are the top team in the country on both ends of the court. Led by graduate guard Cam Spencer’s 20 points and sophomore center Donovan Clingan’s double-double, the Huskies were able to extend their Big East win streak to 11 straight. In a hard-fought loss for the Bulldogs, let’s go beyond the box score. Defending in the first half The key to winning on the road against a top opponent is starting fast. Unfortunately for Butler, they were not able to do that. The Bulldogs got down early but kept fighting back, however only shooting 32.3% from the field did not help their cause. UConn on the other hand, hit on 57.7% of their shots in the first period. A common theme for the Dawgs on defense was getting burned on backcuts. The Huskies would set up a double screen for a shooter on the wing, then dive toward the basket. Butler struggled to track these cutters, which led to a series of easy baskets for UConn. To beat a talented team like the Huskies, you have to be smart on defense and force hard shots. The Bulldogs gave away too many easy looks early, which is what set them on track to lose this game. What happened on offense? Telfort and Davis were the Bulldogs’ only avenues of offense in this matchup. Davis was able to hurt the Huskies from deep, while Telfort continued his hot streak of performances in the paint. The problem for Butler was the rest of the team. Usual offensive standout Pierre Brooks went missing, only scoring five points and hitting on only 20% of his attempts. Posh Alexander poured in eight points but may have been rusty after missing the win over Creighton. Butler coach Thad Matta seemed to shift focus down low, sitting Jalen Thomas in favor of Andre Screen for a majority of the game. Screen started the second half in place of Thomas, but did not seem to change much for the team. The reality for Butler is that they have talented players who do not play well on the same nights. Against the Huskies, it was Davis and Telfort’s night, but they did not get much help outside of themselves. If the Bulldogs want to be a dangerous team going forward, the players need to play well on the same night. It happened against Creighton, but not against UConn. What’s coming up? Butler will return to Hinkle Fieldhouse for a three-game stretch against Providence on Feb. 10, Marquette on Feb. 13 and Creighton on Feb. 17. The Bulldogs will set their sights on the Friars first, in what is a must-win game if this squad wants to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation. The following two matchups come against top 25 squads that the Dawgs have bested before, but they will be looking for revenge. It will be a huge week-long stretch for the Bulldogs as March draws nearer.

Senior Jahmyl Telfort had 22 points in the win over Villanova on Jan. 27. Photo by Elle Rotter. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu The men’s basketball team will look to build on their winning streak as they head to Creighton on Feb. 2 to take on the Bluejays. Butler won dramatically last time out against Villanova to move to 14-7 on the year. The Bulldogs are tied for fifth in the Big East standings with Providence, St. John’s and Xavier. Creighton is tied for second in the Big East, with a conference record of 7-4 and overall record of 16-5. The Dawgs will now battle the Bluejays in Omaha, where Butler has only won twice in their history. Here is what you need to know as Butler takes on Creighton. Who: Butler vs. Creighton When: Feb. 2, 9 p.m. Where: CHI Health Center; Omaha, Nebraska How to watch/listen: FS1, WXNT 1430 AM Keeping the streak alive Butler has rattled off three straight wins in the last two weeks. The Dawgs took down DePaul, Georgetown and Villanova to climb back up the Big East standings. In those three games, there were two common factors that gave the Bulldogs the winning edge they needed. The first is rebounding. Securing the boards is something that plagued this Butler team in the early parts of the season. At times, the Dawgs simply looked beat on the glass. Recently though, that has changed dramatically. In their past three games, Butler has outrebounded their opponents in every single matchup. The Bulldogs had 7 more rebounds than DePaul, 9 more than Georgetown and ten more than Villanova. This newfound dominance on the glass is a huge reason why the Dawgs are on this winning streak. The second is limiting turnovers. Butler has won the turnover battle in their past three games as well. The Bulldogs’ ability to take possessions out of their opponents’ hands has been paramount in these tightly contested games. In the Big East you need any edge you can get, so protecting the basketball is vital. If Butler can rebound and limit turnovers, they will be in good shape to upset Creighton on the road. Creighton scouting report The Bluejays are 16-5 this season and ranked No. 13 in the nation. They are tied for second in the Big East standings behind UConn, with a conference record of 7-4. The main contributors for Creighton are senior Baylor Scheierman, junior Trey Alexander and senior Ryan Kalkbrenner. Those three players have accounted for 64.4% of the Bluejays’ total points this season. The backcourt duo of Scheierman and Alexander will be the focal point of the Bulldogs’ defense. Both tall guards, Butler will have to play tough defense and be willing to help out if they try to get into the paint. Both players can shoot from deep as well, so this game will require excellent defense from the Dawgs if they want to come away with a win. Kalkbrenner, a 7’1” center, will be the main factor in the paint. Kalkbrenner averages 16.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game. If senior center Jalen Thomas can limit Kalkbrenner and rebound, Butler will be in good shape. Overall, the Bulldogs will need to have a complete team game if they want to beat Creighton on the road for the first time since 2015. This is another chance for the Dawgs to pick up a quality win in their quest for postseason basketball.

Photo by Jonathan Wang. CALEB DENORME | ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR | cdenorme@butler.edu Goal after goal, sophomore Palmer Ault has proved that he is one of the best in the nation. His high statistical output and overall play led to him getting drafted into Major League Soccer (MLS) by way of the Colorado Rapids. Ault’s success has transcended every level of soccer he has participated in so far. In addition to his pattern of continual success, he has always set his mind on different objectives other than just scoring goals on the pitch. “The first goal was: I want to play for Butler,” Ault said. “Then, after playing for Butler, [the goal] is now I want to play professionally.” The jump from college to the pros is one that only 2% of men’s soccer players make. Despite the odds, it was always something that Ault worked to pursue. “It was always kind of in the back of my mind,” Ault said. “Same as playing Division I soccer was always the first goal. It’s kind of grown upon itself, and just having those goals in mind and setting myself up to achieve those goals is what I try to do each and every day.” Ault’s career has been a long time in the making. He grew up as a multi-sport athlete, playing soccer, tennis and basketball. Once he entered high school at Noblesville, he decided to devote himself entirely to the beautiful game. In four years at Noblesville, Ault set a school record with 173 points: 67 goals and 39 assists. On top of his individual success, he led his team to the 2021-22 IHSAA Class 3A State Championship. Ault scored a goal and had an assist in the 3-1 win over Carmel. As Ault’s decorated high school career came to an end, it was time for his next chapter. The college game was calling, but he was not highly recruited despite his accomplishments. One school that was drawn to him was Butler. “I’d always gone to the Butler soccer camps as a kid and was always familiar with the Butler soccer program,” Ault said. “The atmosphere that Butler brings was something I always strived to be a part of and really tried to get my name out there.” When Ault attended the Butler clinics, head coach Paul Snape took notice. Snape, the winningest coach in Butler’s history, remembered Ault from a clinic in 2011. “I was doing a clinic up in Noblesville,” Snape said. “He was about eight years of age and people told me he was a good player. You know he looked good for eight but there’s a lot that can happen.” Snape and the Butler coaching staff kept their eyes on Ault as he got older. The young forward kept showing up to camps and playing soccer for Indy 11, Indiana Fire, Indy Premier and Noblesville. After seeing his growth from that 8-year-old kid into a state champion, Snape extended an offer to Ault to become a Butler Bulldog. “When they gave me that offer I knew immediately,” Ault said. “It was a few days later that I called Coach Snape back and let them know that I’m ready to be a Bulldog and wear that uniform that I’ve always aspired to be in.” Ault’s career as a Bulldog started off with a bang in the 2022 season. He bagged ten goals and six assists on the way to becoming the Big East Freshman of the Year as well as a member of the All-Big East First Team. In 2023, Ault scored six goals, landing him on the All-Big East Second Team. He has had a lot of success, but it has not been a cakewalk. “College soccer is no slouch,” Ault said. “Especially at Butler [where] we play in the Big East, one of the best soccer conferences in the country. I would have to give a lot [of credit] to my teammates for pushing me each and every day.” Not only have his stats caught eyes, his play on the field has grabbed the attention of his teammates. Junior Henri Kumwenda labels his attacking partner as “tenacious.” “If you watch him on the field you see he puts his heart into everything,” Kumwenda said. “You’ll see in his performances, in the way he plays, the way he runs and the amount of effort he puts into every single game.” Ault ranked fourth on the team in total minutes played in 2022 with 1,562 minutes, followed by third-highest on the team in 2023 with 1,267 minutes. In both 2022 and 2023, he started every game possible, totaling 34 games started. The stats show Ault’s competitive drive, but behind the competitor is a player who just wants to improve. “He sets the standard,” Snape said. “He’s a well-put-together young man. I think he’s got a lot of emotional intelligence to go with all those traits, and he just keeps getting better and better.” Humility was a trait that came to mind for both Kumwenda and Snape when they thought about Ault. “He’s very reliable, very honest, very down to earth and very humble,” Kumwenda said. “I think that anybody that speaks of him will say the exact same thing.” The combination of athletic power and strong character caught the attention of professional scouts, leading Ault to his next chapter. MLS recently changed its draft rules to allow players who are collegiate sophomores and above to be draft-eligible. Previously, only collegiate seniors and above were draft-eligible. MLS also now allows selected players with remaining college eligibility to return to school, with their rights being held by the club that drafted them. This allows younger players to return to school and continue to develop, rather than going pro early. “I think these MLS rules helped everybody,” Snape said. “[In college] you’re going to develop, you’re getting closer to an education, and I think it’s a win-win-win for everybody. Plus it helps the MLS team.” Since Ault completed his sophomore season, he was eligible for the draft. When Colorado came on the clock with the 34th pick in December 2023, they took the young forward from Butler. For Ault, it was the culmination of years of hard work and tenacity paying off. “It was a dream come true,” Ault said. “It was just an unreal feeling of being selected by a team that believes in you and they think you can be something for them someday. As soon as I heard my name called I knew that this [was] just the start.” Ault joined a talented Rapids draft class that included two players selected in the top-five picks, Duke’s Wayne Frederick and Maryland’s Kimani Stewart-Baynes. Colorado selected UCF’s Anderson Rosa and Manhattan College’s Gunnar Studenhofft after they took Ault with the 34th pick. Although his goal of becoming a professional had come true, Ault felt like his time as a Bulldog was not done yet. Utilizing the new rule changes that MLS offers, he has opted to return to Butler for his junior year. “I think from the beginning what I had in mind was coming back and finishing out my degree here at Butler,” Ault said. “I think ultimately the path that we’re on here is exactly where we want to be, and I’m really looking forward to the rest of my time here at Butler and hopefully transition well in the pros.” While the pros will have to wait, Bulldog soccer fans will rejoice that they get to watch Ault play for at least one more year. The men’s soccer program is just as excited. “We’re so happy he’s here,” Snape said. “We’re going to make sure as one of our captains and leaders [that] we extract as much out of him as humanly possible … which will help his development when he gets to the pros.” Ault will have one or two more years to showcase his talents in the Sellick Bowl. The boy from Noblesville who climbed the ranks from state champion to becoming Big East Freshman of the Year and joining the professional ranks is not ready to leave his beloved Butler yet. “When I made that decision I knew it was the right one,” Ault said. “Still, looking back it’s been the best decision I’ve made and there’s no regrets in coming to Butler and playing for the Bulldogs.”