DECEMBER 29, 2021 • INDYSTAR.COM
BUTLER BULLDOGS 4-1 · 6TH IN BIG EAST
4-1 · 6TH IN BIG EAST
Next Game vs Northwestern · Fri 12:00AM
BUT +2.5 TOTAL 135.5
Butler basketball hosts DePaul in Big East action The Bulldogs and Blue Demons meet at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Dec. 29, 2021, in the conference opener for both.
Bryce Nze - In starting lineup Wednesday Nze (shoulder) is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against DePaul.
Impact Even after missing the last seven games, Nze will get the start in his return from a shoulder injury. Expect the veteran to play a big role in this contest as he looks to get his rhythm back.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bo Hodges - Out again Wednesday Hodges (knee) will not be available for Wednesday's game against DePaul.
Impact Hodges' season debut will have to wait. He will apparently not be on the bench with the team Wednesday due to a non-COVID related illness. Hodges' next chance to play will be Saturday against UConn.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bryce Nze - Will make return Wednesday Nze (shoulder) will be available for Wednesday's game against DePaul.
Impact Nze will return for the Big East opener after missing the last seven games due to a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder. In four games this season, Nze has averaged 6.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per contest. It's unclear if he will start and how limited he will be for the first few games.
DECEMBER 29, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Chuck Harris - Available Wednesday Harris (illness) will be available for Wednesday's clash with DePaul, Butler beat writer Lukas Harkins reports.
Impact Harris was expected to play last Thursday before the game was shut down due to COVID issues, so it isn't surprising that he's back in the mix for Wednesday's contest nearly a week later. Harris will likely resume his role as a double-digit minutes contributor off the bench.
DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bryce Nze - Set to be GTD for Big East opener Nze (shoulder) will be a game-time decision for Wednesday's game against DePaul, Lukas Harkins of Heat Check CBB reports.
Impact Nze is still recovering from an early season shoulder injury against Michigan State. He has been progressing in recent weeks during practice. Nze would provide a big boost to the Bulldogs if he could return for the Big East opener this week.
DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bo Hodges - Game-time call Wednesday Hodges (knee) is a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against DePaul, Lukas Harkins of Heat Check CBB reports.
Impact The senior may finally be able to take the floor during the Big East opener, as Hodges hasn't played yet this season. The guard averaged 8.2 points and 6.0 rebounds across nine outings last season for Butler.
DECEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bryce Golden - Thursday's game called off Golden and the Bulldogs won't play Thursday versus St. John's due to COVID-19 issues within the Red Storm's program, Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports reports.
Impact Golden and his teammates will have to wait a bit longer to get back on the floor as a result. The team's next scheduled game arrives Dec. 29 against DePaul.
DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Chuck Harris - Expected to play Thursday Butler (illness) is expected to face St John's on Thursday, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.
Impact The news of Harris' availability comes from a school spokesman, so there's a strong chance he ends up seeing the court. He would provide a big boost since he's averaging 11.6 points per game.
DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Simas Lukosius - Leads team in rebounding Lukosius totaled four points (1-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds and three assists across 28 minutes during Saturday's 77-48 loss to Purdue.
Impact Lukosius was able to garner five of Butler's 27 total defensive rebounds. His 28 minutes on the night are the most he has played since the first game of the season. Over his last five appearances, the freshman has averaged 4.6 points, three rebounds and two assists through 21 minutes.
DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Aaron Thompson - Good source of ball movement Thompson produced six points (3-10 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 0-3 FT), one rebound, six assists and two steals in 31 minutes during Saturday's 77-48 loss to Purdue.
Impact Thompson accounted for a majority of Butler's 10 total assists in the loss. He recorded five in the first half, three of which came before the first media timeout. Once Purdue was able to slow down his passing, Butler suffered a five-minute scoring drought. The senior has recorded 25 assists over his last four games and will look to continue his brilliant passing against St. John's on Thursday.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jayden Taylor - Contributes 11 points Taylor registered 11 points (4-9 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 2-3 FT), three rebounds, one assist and one steal across 31 minutes during Saturday's 77-48 loss to Purdue.
Impact Taylor was one of two Butler players to record double-digit points in the loss. The freshman recorded six points in the final seven minutes of play but struggled to find a clean look most of the night. The forward has shot 37 percent from the floor over his last three home appearances and has been a consistent producer for his team.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Bryce Golden - Records 17 points Golden finished with 17 points (7-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-4 FT), four rebounds and one steal in 28 minutes during Saturday's 77-48 loss to Purdue.
Impact Golden had a solid night offensively despite the size mismatch he faced in the post. He opened the scoring for Butler by delivering a nice feed from Aaron Thompson to the rim, he went on to record eight of Butler's 21 first-half points. The senior showed commendable spirit, he recorded a season-high 12 shot attempts, laying it all on the line for his teammates.
DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
No. 3 Purdue uses size to overpower Butler in 77-48 rout
Jaden Ivey scored 22 points and Zach Edey finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 3 Purdue rout Butler 77-48 in the Crossroads ClassicDECEMBER 18, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chuck Harris - Out with non-COVID illness Harris will miss Saturday's game against Purdue due to a non-COVID illness.
Impact Haris' absence hits especially hard with both Bryce Nze (shoulder) and Bo Hodges (knee) still sidelined for the Bulldogs. He had been serving in a key bench role since returning from a one-game absence in late November, but the Bulldogs will need to look elsewhere off the bench Saturday.
DECEMBER 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Butler basketball: Ty Groce: Crossroads will be 'amazing experience' Transfer eager for first game in downtown showcase
DECEMBER 17, 2021 • INDYSTAR.COM
Buzzer-beater 3 lifts Elon past Winthrop 63-61
Jerald Gillens-Butler hit a 3-point from the left wing with 1.3 seconds left and Michael Graham had 13 points and 15 rebounds to lead Elon to a 63-61 win over Winthrop, ending the...DECEMBER 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Butler leads Drexel over Coppin State 76-69
James Butler posted 11 points and 11 rebounds to lead Drexel to a 76-69 win over Coppin StateDECEMBER 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Myles Tate - Limited in season debut Tate totaled zero points (0-1 FG) across four minutes during Saturday's 66-54 victory over Eastern Illinois.
Impact Though he didn't contribute much, it was still a great sign to see Tate back in action for the first time in the 2021-22 season. He had previously earned a starting job during his first year with the program in 2020-21, where he put up 6.7 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists. Should there be enough minutes to go around for those stats to progress, Tate could find himself on the fantasy radar before Big East play.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jayden Taylor - Tinkers with offense in win Taylor produced seven points (3-8 FG, 1-3 3Pt), five rebounds and one assist across 23 minutes during Saturday's 66-54 victory over Eastern Illinois.
Impact Taylor turned a Jair Bolden steal into a bucket early in the first half to set the tone for the evening. He helped hold the Panthers to just 10 points through the first 14 minutes of play while his teammates extended the lead. Through his last five starts, the freshman has averaged 9.6 points and 2.8 rebounds during 26 minutes.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Jair Bolden - Contributes 10 points Bolden produced 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-7 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one steal across 24 minutes during Saturday's 66-54 win over Eastern Illinois.
Impact Bolden struggled to find his rhythm from beyond the arc until the second half where he recorded both of his three-point makes. He shot 34.1 percent from three-point range last season, and thus far this season has improved to 41.9 percent. Through his four starts this season, the senior has averaged 10 points and three rebounds during 26.3 minutes.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Ty Groce - Leading rebounder in win Groce closed with eight points (4-6 FG, 0-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and one block across 25 minutes during Saturday's 66-54 win over Eastern Illinois.
Impact Groce was able to find gaps in the defense early to slash his way to his best offensive performance in three games. He played defender for a majority of the second-half to help hold Eastern Illinois to just 20 points in the paint on the night. Through his six starts of the season, the senior has averaged 7.3 points and 4.2 rebounds during 22.5 minutes.
DECEMBER 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
