Game Notes
 
Butler at #21 DePaul
Live Stats | Watch
 
Gameday Information
Date: Friday, January 13, 2017 / 8:00 PM
Location: Chicago, Illinois / McGrath-Phillips Arena
Live Stats: DePaulBlueDemons.com | Watch: BEDN
Series History: DePaul leads the all-time series against Butler 11-0
Last Meeting: DePaul defeated Butler 76-49 during the 2015-16 season
 
Butler at Marquette
Live Stats | Watch on FS1
 
Gameday Information
Date: Sunday, January 15, 2017 / 1:00 PM
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin / Al McGuire Center
Live Stats: GoMarquette.com | Watch: FS1
Series History: The all-time series between Butler and Marquette is tied 7-7
Last Meeting: Marquette defeated Butler 76-69 during the 2015-16 season
 
INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will play at #21 DePaul on Friday and at Marquette on Sunday this weekend after claiming their first road win of the season this past Sunday at Xavier. Friday's tilt at DePaul will stream on BEDN at 8 PM. Sunday's matchup against the Golden Eagles will air live on FS1. Tip is slated for 1 PM.
 
Bulldog Bits
- Butler posted their first road win of the season at Xavier with a 65-62 overtime win
- Tori Schickel recorded 20 points and 20 rebounds in the victory at Xavier
- Michelle Weaver scored the game-tying field goal at Xavier to force overtime
- Alexa Bailey scored a career-high 10 points at Xavier on 5-of-9 shooting
- Butler only committed 12 turnovers on Sunday, a season-low total
- Sydney Buck returned to action on Jan. 8 after missing the previous 12 games
- Taylor Buford pulled down a career-high six rebounds vs. the Musketeers
- Schickel has led BU in rebounds in each game this season, avg 10.7 per game
- Butler is a young team with four freshmen, four sophomores and two juniors
 
BIG EAST Standings
1) DePaul 6-0, 14-4
2) Creighton 5-1, 11-5
3) Marquette 4-2, 13-4
4) St. John's 3-2, 11-5
5) Xavier 2-3, 10-6
6) Villanova 2-3, 6-9
7) Butler 2-3, 5-11
8) Georgetown 1-4, 9-6
9) Seton Hall 1-4, 8-8
10) Providence 1-5, 9-8
 
Schickel Lands on BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll
Tori Schickel led the Bulldogs to a 2-1 mark last week including wins over Seton Hall and Xavier. The sophomore averaged an impressive double-double with 17.7 points, 14.7 rebounds, headlined by a 20-20 performance in Sunday's overtime victory against the Musketeers. Schickel also notched a double-double in Monday's win over Seton Hall with 23 points, 16 boards.
 
All-Time Series
Butler is 0-11 all-time against DePaul with their most recent setback coming in the 2016 BIG EAST Tournament. The Blue Demons eliminated Butler from the bracket last year by posting a 76-49 win in the quarterfinals. DePaul played as the No. 1 overall seed while Butler advanced past Xavier as the No. 9 seed. During the regular season, DePaul posted 102 points in their home win, yet only won by seven inside Hinkle Fieldhouse. The seven-point deficit is the closest outcome between the two programs as members of the BIG EAST. The first-ever meeting during the 1984-85 season was a five-point spread, 61-56.
 
The all-time series between Butler and Marquette is knotted up at 7-7. The Golden Eagles were able to pull even with Butler by sweeping the 2015-16 regular season series. Marquette won 80-64 at Hinkle Fieldhouse and 76-69 at the Al McGuire Center. These two teams split a pair of games in 2014-15. BU won 76-67 at Marquette, but the Golden Eagles got even with a 77-74 double overtime win at Butler.
 
BIG EAST Rankings
Tori Schickel finds herself ranked in the top-five of multiple BIG EAST statistical categories. Schickel leads the BIG EAST in rebounding (10.7), is 2nd in minutes (34.4), 2nd in field goal percentage (51.9) and 5th in steals (2.3). A closer breakdown shows Schickel leading the league in both offensive rebounds (4.4) and defensive boards (6.3). The sophomore forward also ranks fifth in blocked shots (1.6) and 12th in scoring (13.8).
 
National Rankings
Tori Schickel ranks 14th in rebounds per game (10.7) and 13th in offensive rebounds per game (4.0). The talented forward also ranks 35th in free throw attempts (91), 43rd in double-doubles (6), 60th in field-goal percentage (51.9), 73rd in free throws made (61), 84th in steals per game (2.3), and 95th in minutes played per game (34.4).
 
First Road Win Comes in Overtime
Butler improved their conference record to 2-3 on Sunday afternoon with a 65-62 overtime win at Xavier. Butler trailed for a majority of the contest (XU led for 35:40), but got a late bucket from Michelle Weaver at the end of regulation to force overtime. BU would come out on top in the overtime period to record their first single overtime win since the 2009-10 season when they went on the road to defeat Wright State 51-48 in extra time. Four different players (Schickel, Weaver, Bailey, Buford) set career-high totals for minutes played in the contest which was highlighted by Schickel's 20 points and 20 rebounds in 45 minutes of action. BU scored 20 points off 18 Xavier turnovers and came all the way back to earn the win by beating Xavier 18-8 in the fourth quarter.
 
Hello, Goodbye
Butler welcomed back Sydney Buck on Sunday afternoon at Xavier, but played 39 minutes without Kristen Spolyar who left the game just 30 seconds into the contest after a hard fall. Buck logged 27 minutes and scored five points in her return.
 
Schickel Eyes Single-Season Rebound Record
Tori Schickel is currently on pace to break the Butler school record for most rebounds recorded in a single-season. Through 16 games, Schickel has pulled down 171 rebounds. Her recent 20-rebound game at Xavier is the highest total by any player in the BIG EAST Conference during the 2016-17 season. Schickel will chase the BU school record of 302 which was set by Beth Piepenbrink during the 1981-82 season.
 
No Sophomore Slump for Schickel
Tori Schickel is just 20 points shy of 500 for her career as the team heads to Chicago to face DePaul. The standout sophomore is on pace to become just the 22nd player in Butler women's basketball history to reach 1,000 career points. The all-time leading scorer is Butler assistant coach Julie Shelton who scored 2,018 points during her brilliant career.
 
Bulldogs On FS1
The Bulldogs have played four games on FS1 under the guidance of Head Coach Kurt Godlevske. Butler is 3-1 on FS1 with wins over St. John's, Xavier and Seton Hall. The lone setback came against DePaul. Godlevske's first two TV appearances were wins during the 2014-15 season. His team defeated St. John's 55-50 and pulled out a 58-54 victory later in the month vs. the Musketeers. DePaul put an end to the win streak with a 61-54 victory during the 2015-16 season, but the Bulldogs won their most recent FS1 outing with a 21-point home win over the Pirates. Kristen Spolyar, Tori Schickel and Sydney Shelton combined for 67 of Butler's season-high 79 points in the lopsided victory.
 
Continue To Grow
Butler played better in each quarter as the game moved along in each of their two conference wins. Against Seton Hall, BU doubled their first quarter output by scoring 22 points in the second to take a five-point lead into the half. They matched that effort with 23 points in both the third and fourth quarter of the victory. Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati, Butler added two points to each quarter result which led to the 18-8 advantage in the fourth quarter.
 
Slow Down
DePaul and Marquette are the top two scoring offenses in the BIG EAST while the Bulldogs rank 10th. In order for the Bulldogs to close the gap in the scoring column they will need to slow down the tempo. Butler has only scored 70 points in two games this year, DePaul averages 82 and Marquette is second at 77 ppg. The Blue Demons are undefeated in conference play, but Providence gave them a scare by holding DePaul to 61 points. BU won't outscore either team this weekend, but the Bulldogs have a chance at Marquette who notched just 63 and 64 points in conference setbacks to Creighton and St. John's. BU will also need to take care of the basketball. They are coming off a season-low 12 turnovers.
 
Youth vs. Experience
DePaul started four upperclassmen and one freshman in the win over St. John's. Marquette is built more like Butler with four sophomores in the starting five to go along with a junior.
 
Up Next
Butler will return to Hinkle Fieldhouse next weekend with a pair of home games. Villanova will visit Indianapolis on Friday night for a 7 PM tip against the Bulldogs. Sunday's tip against Georgetown will go up at 1 PM.  These games signal the halfway point of the conference schedule.