BUTLER BULLDOGS NEWS

Bo Hodges - Still out Friday Hodges (knee) remains out for Friday's game against Xavier.

Impact Hodges seemed to be nearing a return to the floor after being labeled a game-time decision for the last two contests, but the senior still won't be available Friday. His next chance to make his season debut surfaces next Thursday versus Georgetown.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Aaron Thompson - Tallies 10 points Thompson notched 10 points (3-6 FG, 4-6 FT), three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal in 34 minutes during Tuesday's 71-56 loss to Seton Hall.

Impact Thompson couldn't find the passing lanes he normally trailblazes, recording his lowest assist total of the season and his highest turnover total in six games. The senior recorded double-digit points for the second time this year, but will look to get more teammates involved against Xavier on Friday.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Taylor - Chips in 10 points Taylor closed Tuesday's 71-56 loss to Seton Hall with 10 points (4-10 FG, 2-7 3Pt), three rebounds, three assists and two steals over 34 minutes.

Impact Taylor had his most aggressive night from deep range this season in his third consecutive double-digit point performance. He wasn't able to get the stripe and committed four fouls creating a point gap that started at the free-throw line. The freshman was able to get involved in the passing game, recording his highest assist total in nine appearances. He will look to remain a good source of ball movement against Xavier on Friday.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bryce Nze - Tenacious in loss Nze registered 12 points (5-13 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, three assists, two blocks and three steals over 32 minutes during Tuesday's 71-56 loss to Seton Hall.

Impact Nze fed Bryce Golden in the paint to open the scoring for Butler. The senior stuffed the stat sheet and recorded a season-high two blocks alongside his most aggressive night from the floor this season. He played a fairly clean game, recording no fouls, and only committing two turnovers during an aggressive passing effort to rally together a comeback. He will look to stay aggressive against Xavier on Friday.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bryce Golden - Leads team in scoring Golden closed with 19 points (7-9 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT) and four rebounds over 31 minutes during Tuesday's 71-56 loss to Seton Hall.

Impact Golden opened the scoring for Butler in the first half by recording their first five points of the night and putting the Pirates on their heels early. It was looking to be a dicey night for the center, he recorded three fouls and both of his turnovers before the halftime whistle blew. He went on to play a clean second half, answering a Jared Rhoden three with his own trey in the opening two minutes of the final period. He finished the night with his second-highest point total of the season in a brilliant bounce-back performance, after being held to just six points in his return to play from the lay-off.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

DePaul looks to knock off No. 19 Nova

No. 19 Villanova looks to give DePaul its eighth straight loss to ranked opponents

JANUARY 6, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rhoden, Yetna lead No. 24 Seton Hall past Butler 71-56

Jared Rhoden scored 17 points, Alexis Yetna had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 24 Seton Hall beat Butler 71-56

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

3 reasons Butler basketball lost to Seton Hall: Dawgs offense sputters — again No. 22 Seton Hall smothered Butler’s in long stretches and came away with a 71-56 victory in Big East basketball Tuesday night at Hinkle Fie...

JANUARY 5, 2022 • INDYSTAR.COM

Bo Hodges - Doesn't play Tuesday Hodges (knee) didn't see the court during Tuesday's 71-56 loss to Seton Hall.

Impact Hodges was considered a game-time decision for Tuesday's contest and was seen participating in warmups, but he didn't end up taking the court for Butler. The senior guard could be a game-time call for a third straight game Friday against Xavier as he looks to make his season debut after recovering from the tibial plateau fracture he sustained in his left knee in August.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ty Groce - Won't play Friday Groce (COVID-19 protocols) will be unavailable for Friday's game against Xavier, David Woods of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact Groce sat out Tuesday's matchup with Seton Hall due to the COVID-19 protocols and will miss a second straight contest Friday. His next chance to take the court will come Jan. 13 at Georgetown.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bo Hodges - Seen warming up Hodges (knee) was seen warming up for Tuesday's game against Seton Hall, David Woods of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Impact Though he has yet to appear in a game for the Bulldogs, Hodges appears to be coming close to a return after originally being reported to return last week. The senior guard appeared in just nine games last seen and remains a game-time call for Tuesday's contest.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ty Groce - Will not play Groce (Covid-19 health and safety protocols) will not play in Tuesday's game against Seton Hall.

Impact After playing just eight minutes in Butler's win over DePaul, Groce's return to the floor will be put on pause Tuesday. Groce, a regular starter for the Bulldogs, averages 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Bryce Nze is likely to replace Groce in the starting lineup. Groce's status for Friday's tilt against Xavier is unclear.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Bo Hodges - Considered a game-time call Hodges (knee) is considered a game-time decision for Tuesday's clash with Seton Hall.

Impact Hodges has yet to play in a game for the Bulldogs but seems to be nearing his first appearance of the season, owning a game-time decision label for a second straight game Wednesday. Even if he does take the floor versus the Pirates, it would likely be in a very limited capacity given the length of his absence and the location of his injury.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Simas Lukosius: 'Everybody is all about basketball' Butler freshman says his Lithuanian hometown resembles Indianapolis

JANUARY 3, 2022 • INDYSTAR.COM

DePaul looks to knock off No. 21 Providence

No. 21 Providence looks to give DePaul its seventh straight loss to ranked opponents

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Aaron Thompson - Puts on passing show Thompson racked up seven points (3-7 FG, 1-1 3Pt), one rebound, seven assists and seven steals across 31 minutes during Wednesday's 63-59 victory over DePaul.

Impact Thompson eclipsed the five-assist mark for the fifth time this season. The guard logged four assists in the first four minutes of play to light a fire under his teammates. In the final seven minutes of the second half, he recorded two back-breaking steals to prevent DePaul from getting enough momentum to complete the comeback. Through his four December starts, the senior has averaged 8.5 points, 2.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists during 34.8 minutes.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Jayden Taylor - Records 13 points in win Taylor closed Wednesday's 63-59 win over DePaul with 13 points (4-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt, 4-6 FT), four rebounds and one steal across 26 minutes.

Impact Taylor was one of three Butler players to record double-digits in the win over DePaul. The forward's motor wouldn't quit as his teammates slowed down, he scored the final two buckets from the floor for Butler to put them up 10 points with under six minutes to play. Over his last three December starts, the freshman has averaged 10.3 points and four rebounds during 26.7 minutes.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Simas Lukosius - Leading scorer in victory Lukosius racked up 15 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds and one assist across 29 minutes during Wednesday's 63-59 win over DePaul.

Impact Lukosius led Butler in scoring coming off the bench thanks to some otherworldly first-half shooting. The freshman logged 13 points in the opening period of play and his teammates were happy to feed the hot hand. He recorded a career-high 15 points on top of a career-high nine shot attempts from the floor. He emerged as a scoring threat in this win, and finally got the turnover issue that blighted his starts earlier this season under control. Through the first three games this season, the guard tallied 14 turnovers, over his last five games he has recorded only three.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Chuck Harris - Solid outing in return from illness Harris chipped in 13 points (5-15 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 0-1 FT) and two rebounds in 30 minutes during Wednesday's 63-59 win over DePaul.

Impact Harris played a big role for Butler on the offensive end by getting up 15 shots in his return from an illness. Harris started the first six games of the season and a return to the starting five is definitely a possibility at some point.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Bryce Nze - Plays 29 minutes in return Nze had seven points (3-6 FG, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 29 minutes during Wednesday's 63-59 victory over DePaul.

Impact Nze made his first appearance in a game in over a month due to a shoulder injury suffered against Michigan State. He should continues to improve and put up better lines as he gets more comfortable back to game action. Butler will face off against UConn on Saturday.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Simas Lukosius scores 15 vs. DePaul: 'I play with confidence' Lithuanian freshman Simas Lukosius scores career-high 15 for Butler, sparks win over DePaul.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • INDYSTAR.COM

3 reasons Butler basketball opened Big East play with a win over DePaul Young and old combined to make Butler 1-0 in Big East basketball.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • INDYSTAR.COM

Lukosius scores 15 to help lead Butler past DePaul 63-59

Simas Lukosius had 15 points off the bench to help lead Butler to a 63-59 win over DePaul

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS