Butler Bulldogs vs. Saginaw Valley State Cardinals Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 15th 2023

Butler will continue its homestand and conclude nonconference play against Division II Saginaw Valley State on Friday in Indianapolis.

The Bulldogs (8-2) ventured past regulation for the second time in three outings last Saturday with a 97-90 double-overtime victory versus California.

Four Butler players scored in double figures, led by Posh Alexander’s 21 points. Jahmyl Telfort added 20 points, Pierre Brooks II scored 18 and DJ Davis contributed 13.

“We took a heck of a punch from them, getting down (16-4) early, but we never wavered,” Bulldogs coach Thad Matta said. “Posh, Jahmyl and Pierre, their faces were stoic. We knew what had to be done and these guys executed really well throughout overtime.”

“College basketball it’s a game of runs,” Telfort said, per the Indianapolis Star. “Four minutes each time. … We got it closer, ‘Win the next one.’ And we’re getting closer and closer.

“You just stay level-headed, just keep chipping at it.”

The Cardinals (6-3) are coming off a 71-56 road loss against Northern Michigan on Saturday. The setback halted a six-game winning streak for Saginaw Valley State.

Tre Garrett and Toodles Seal each scored 14 points to go along with nine and eight rebounds, respectively. The Cardinals received all but six of their points from four players: Garrett, Seal, Maurice Barnett (12) and Freddie McIntosh (10).

Seal boasts team-leading averages in points (17.0) and rebounds (6.4), while Curtis Jackson contributes a club-best 4.1 assists per game.

Brooks leads Butler with 17.0 points per game, while Alexander has club-best averages in assists (5.4) and steals (1.9). Jalen Thomas contributes 6.5 rebounds per contest.

Butler’s Augusto Cassia remains out indefinitely due to a hamstring injury and has yet to play this season.

These teams squared off during the 2021-22 season, with the Bulldogs escaping with a 68-57 victory.

–Field Level Media