Butler started out their 2021-22 season by defeating IUPUI 56-47 before a crowd of 7,134 fans at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Tuesday night.
The Bulldogs mantra has always been gritty, not pretty and that was the case against the Jaguars. Butler's offense was in a rut for most of the game but it's defense stifled the Jaguars and in the end that was enough to secure the nine point win.
Butler lead by as many as 15 points during the contest and never trailed for the majority of the game. IUPUI had a 9-7 lead early in the first half but after that the Bulldogs never trailed again. Butler's defense held the Jaguars to 3 of 23 shooting from behind the three point line. Butler also forced several shot clock violations in the first half. The Jaguars were led in scoring by B.J. Maxwell who scored 14 points. No other Jaguar scored in double figures.
Butler's offense on the other hand was just as sloppy. The Bulldogs shot only 25 percent on three pointers in the second half and 34 percent overall. Butler was a collective 7-25 on three pointers. Butler struggled against the IUPUI zone defense. Butler countered this by attacking the basket, drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line. Butler made 19 out of 23 from the foul line. That should be a refreshing sign for Bulldogs fans as Butler struggled from the free throw line much of last season.
The Bulldogs were led in scoring by sophomore Chuck Harris who had a game high 16 points and freshman Jayden Taylor who had 12 points. They are both known to be effective three point shooters but due to the Jaguars match up zone, they went a combined 1-9 from three. This was made up for in the case that was just mentioned above as Taylor and Harris both took the ball to the basket on drives and were able to draw contact and get to the free throw line. Combined they went 15 out of 18 from the charity stripe.
By not having starting point guard Aaron Thompson who was out due to being suspended the first three games of the season, Butler needed that next man up mentality. That next man up turned out to be someone who has only been in the United States for a few weeks. Freshman guard Simas Lukosius from Lithuania. The 19 year old showed promise in his first ever collegiate game. Playing point guard and shooting guard, Lukosius scored eight points, grabbed seven rebounds and had two assists.
Butler looked dysfunctional at times, the offense stalled here and there but the defense was on point after a few shaky exhibitions the last few weeks. However it's a win to start the season so that's the positive. Aaron Thompson is the glue that holds the team together and no matter what year it has been, when he's not in the game for Butler, they struggle on both sides of the ball. Butler was also missing three other players that will see significant minutes of playing time when they return from their injuries so with all of that in effect, Butler should be happy with this victory. As they say at Butler, gritty not pretty.
Senior Bo Hodges is out with a leg injury and his timetable should be around the start of Big East play. Grad transfer from Eastern Michigan Ty Groce should be back on Friday against Central Arkansas and could start soon. Sophomore Myles Tate suffered a torn ACL last march in the Big East Tournament. Thompson will return to the starting lineup next week against Michigan State.
Butler is now 7-0 all time against IUPUI in their history. Butler has now won 23 consecutive home openers and is 60-1 in their last 61 non conference home games.
The Bulldogs next game will be on Friday night as they take on the Bears of Central Arkansas. IUPUI is set to travel to Evansville on Thursday night to take on the Purple Aces.
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