The Bulldogs finish off a two-game homestand Friday night, hosting Marquette. The game serves as the now annual collaboration with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Butler's Checker Out Game.
 
Butler Bulldogs (12-7, 3-5 BIG EAST) vs. Marquette (7-13, 2-7)
Friday, Jan. 23 • 8PM
Hinkle Fieldhouse; Indianapolis, Ind.
 
Follow Along
TV/Stream: FS1 • Jeff Levering & Dickey Simpkins
Radio/Audio: Fuego 92.7FM, Butler Sports App, SiriusXM 383, Sirius XM App, TuneIn Radio App & ButlerSports.com • @MarkMinner & Nick Gardner
(@n_gardner)
 
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Start by Reading This Text"
• The Bulldogs enter the game off an 87-80 win over DePaul Tuesday night.
• Butler shot 56.9 percent in the win over the Blue Demons, the team's second-best accuracy of the season. The Bulldogs have shot 50 percent or better from the field in seven games this season.
• Butler overcame a four-point halftime deficit with 54 points in the second half; it was Butler's fifth-most points in a half this season.
• The Bulldogs scored 85 points or more for the ninth time this season (and third time in BIG EAST play). On the season, Butler is averaging 83.4 points per game.
• Finley Bizjack scored a game-high 24 points in the win over DePaul. It marked his eighth 20-point game of the season (and third in the last four games). Bizjack is second in the BIG EAST in scoring at 16.9 points per game and ranks fourth in the conference with 2.4 made three-pointers per game.
• Butler has out-rebounded 15 of its 19 opponents this season. The Bulldogs average 39.7 rebounds per game (41st nationally) and have a +5.4 rebounding margin (58th nationally); both marks lead the BIG EAST.
• Butler picked up a 77-66 road win at No. 25 Seton Hall Saturday. The 77 points scored by Butler are the second-highest total allowed by Seton Hall this season. Butler committed only eight turnovers Saturday, matching the low for a Seton Hall opponent this season.
• Butler went 21-for-31 from the free throw line in Tuesday's win over DePaul. On the season, the Bulldogs average 26.3 free throw attempts per game, a mark that is 21st nationally.
• Michael Ajayi led the Bulldogs in rebounding for the 19th time in 19 games with eight boards against DePaul. The eight rebounds tied a season-low for Ajayi. 
• Ajayi ranks second nationally in both rebounding (11.6 per game) and double-doubles (13); he has 32 double-doubles in 86 collegiate games.
• In addition to leading the league in rebounding, Ajayi ranks fourth in the BIG EAST at 16.3 points per game. He is also among the conference Top 15 in field goal percentage (second), minutes played (third), blocked shots (ninth), and assists (14th).
• After scoring a combined 12 points over his past four games, Evan Haywood poured in 15 points Tuesday against DePaul; it marked the second-highest output of his Butler career.
• Freshman Azavier Robinson has played career-highs in minutes in back-to-back games (with 29 played against DePaul Tuesday). He has scored 27 points over those two games, including a career-high 14 points in the Saturday win over Seton Hall.
• Over the last 10 games, Bizjack is 42-for-45 (93 percent) at the free throw line. On the season, Bizjack ranks second in the BIG EAST with an 85-percent mark at the charity stripe.
• Butler ranks 41st nationally in offensive rebounding percentage according to KenPom, collecting 36.3 percent of their misses.
• Butler has out-rebounded their opponent by at least 10 in seven games this season (after having only six games of +10 or greater rebounding margin all of last season).
• Thad Matta enters Friday's game with 498 career wins as a head coach.
• Ten different Bulldogs have scored at least 13 points in at least one game this season.
 
IMS Checker Out Game Details
• Butler Athletics and Indianapolis Motor Speedway will collaborate on the third annual IMS Checker Out Game Friday night.
• Fans are asked to "checker out" Hinkle Fieldhouse by wearing a white or dark shirt based on the section of their tickets.
• INDYCAR drivers Alexander Rossi, Louis Foster and Rinus Veekay will be in attendance.
• Fans will enjoy many activations, including the opportunity to take a photo with the famed Borg-Warner Trophy.
 
More About Marquette
• Chase Ross and Nigel James Jr. lead the Golden Eagles, each averaging north of 15 points per game.
• Marquette averages 9.4 steals per game, which is 25th nationally.
• The Golden Eagles are 20th nationally, averaging 16.4 fast break points per game.
• The Golden Eagles picked up a 105-104 overtime home win over Providence Monday with James leading the way with 38 points.
 
The Series with the Golden Eagles
• The Bulldogs and Marquette first met in 1922, which is Butler's earliest match-up against any of the current BIG EAST opponents.
• Twenty-four of the 53 match-ups in the series have come since the Bulldogs joined the BIG EAST prior to the 2013-14 season.
• The two teams met in the Round of 32 of the 2013 NCAA Tournament with Marquette pulling out a 74-72 victory.
 
The Series: Marquette leads, 28-25
Streak: Marquette, W3
At Hinkle: Butler leads, 13-10
First Meeting: Dec. 16, 1922; Marquette, 18-17 (at MU)
Last Meeting: Jan. 28, 2025; Marquette, 78-69 (at BU)
 
Up Next
The Bulldogs return to the road, traveling to the Big Apple to play St. John's at Madison Square Garden Wednesday. The Red Storm are the first BIG EAST opponent that Butler will meet for a second time this season. Butler returns home Jan. 31 to host Georgetown.