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INDIANAPOLIS – Butler will play their third game over the span of just five days on Thursday when they host #18 DePaul. The 7 PM tip on BEDN with John Fanta and Kim Adams will stream on FloHoops.com.
 
Bulldog Bits
- Butler's three opponents this week are the top three teams in the BIG EAST standings.
- Okako Adika and Genesis Parker scored 33 of Butler's 35 points at #3 UConn.
- Adika or Parker have led the team in scoring in nine of 10 contests this season.
- Jaia Alexander has led the team in rebounds in five-straight games.
- Micah Scheetz dished out a season-high three assists on Tuesday.
- Upe Atosu and Nyamer Diew did not play at #3 UConn and are doubtful for Thursday's tip.
 
Scouting #18 DePaul                                                                             
The Blue Demons are 8-3 this year with a 5-1 mark in conference action. All three setbacks came against nationally-ranked opponents in #13 Texas A&M, #5 Louisville and #4 UConn. DePaul posted a signature win on Dec. 16 with an 86-82 victory over #9 Kentucky. DePaul last played on Saturday, Jan. 16. They posted a 78-54 win on the road over Georgetown. Four of the projected starting five players for head coach Doug Bruno are upperclassmen. The 'Dawgs will also need to prep for freshman standout Darrione Rogers.
 
All-Time Series vs. DePaul                                                                                 
DePaul is 19-0 all-time against the Butler Bulldogs. The first-ever meeting was played during the 1984-85 season with each program representing the North Star Conference. Both Butler and DePaul were charter members of the NSC, but BU would move to the Midwestern Collegiate Conference in 1986-87. Butler gave DePaul a scare in 2019 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. BU led 67-56 at the end of three quarters, but a 17-2 scoring run in the fourth would allow DePaul to win the final 10 minutes 30-11 and complete the comeback win.
 
Last Meeting vs. DePaul                                                                                     
The Blue Demons hit 13 3-pointers in the last meeting vs. Butler to post an 89-60 victory on their home court. The game played on Feb. 14, 2020 went down as the first conference road loss for the Bulldogs. Upe Atosu jumped into the starting lineup with Oumou Toure inactive. Atosu scored 10 points and pulled down five rebounds. Genesis Parker added eight points for the 'Dawgs.
 
Behind The Arc                                                                                       
Butler averages 7.4 3-point field goals per game, the fourth-highest total in the BIG EAST. Genesis Parker made three 3-pointers recently vs. Seton Hall and again at #3 UConn. The senior has made at least two 3-pointers in every game this season. Okako Adika is another driving force in this category. The junior has made a 3-pointer in eight-straight contests. Butler will have to stay hot from behind the arc against DePaul. The Blue Demons average 9.5 made triples per game this season, the best average in the BIG EAST.
 
Break the Press                                                                                      
DePaul uses full-court pressure to turnover their opponents and speed up the overall flow of the game. Only three players on Butler's active roster have registered playing time against the up-tempo style that DePaul will bring to Hinkle on Thursday.
 
Take Care of the Ball                                                                             
DePaul leads the league in turnover margin (+9.1) and steals (11.3). The Bulldogs will have to limit turnovers in order to pull off the upset. They were hit with a season-high 32 turnovers Tuesday at #3 UConn.
 
D Up                                                                                                                        
Butler has struggled defensively in 2020, allowing 74.1 points per game to opponents. That average is 12.3 points higher than last year. The only BIG EAST team allowing more points than BU this season is DePaul (77.6).
 
Looking for an Upset                                                                            
Butler's last win over a ranked opponent was on Feb. 22, 2019. The 'Dawgs won at #11 Marquette 61-57.
 
Tough Competition                                                                                             
Butler will play nationally-ranked teams in back-to-back games this week for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign. In Kurt Godlevske's fourth season at BU, the 'Dawgs played at #17 USF and followed that contest by facing #11 West Virginia in the opening game of the 2017 Paradise Jam.
 
Last Game                                                                                                             
The Huskies were playing for the first time in 10 days but showed no signs of rust, scoring over 100 points for the second time this season as five players finished in double figures. UConn's Olivia Nelson-Ododa and Butler's Okako Adika tied for the game high with 18 points apiece. The Huskies (8-0, 7-0 BIG EAST) shot over 60 percent from the field (.615) for the second time this season, while holding their opponents under a 30-percent clip for the fourth time as Butler (1-9, 1-8) shot .289 from the floor.
 
Adika Lands on BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll                                  
Okako Adika stuffed the stat sheet for the Bulldogs last week, averaging 14.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and .459 shooting. The junior scored in double figures in all three games, including a team-high 18 points at Seton Hall on Sunday. This season, Adika has reached a double figure scoring total in seven of Butler's nine games. She is also the first Bulldog to appear on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll this season.
 
10-For-10                                                                                                               
Okako Adika is the only player on the Butler roster to start in all 10 games this season. Other Bulldogs to be active in all 10 games this year include Tenley Dowell, Ellen Ross, and Annilia Dawn.
 
One-Two Punch                                                                                                   
Okako Adika and Genesis Parker account for 43 percent of Butler's points this season and Parker missed the first four games of the season with an injury.
 
Team Leader                                                                                                         
Okako Adika leads Butler in scoring, field goal percentage, 3-pointers made, offensive rebounds and minutes played.
 
Up Next                                                                                                                  
The Bulldogs will end the week with a 2 PM tip vs. the Golden Eagles on Jan. 24. The game will air live on FS1.