It's the year 2024 and Hinkle magic still exists.
Butler used that magic to overcome double digit deficits in regulation and double overtime sessions to take down Villanova 88-81 on Saturday afternoon before a very enthusiastic sellout crowd of 9,237 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Butler's sharpshooting senior guard D.J. Davis was held scoreless in the entire first half. the second half was a different story. Davis scored all of his game high 28 points in the second half and in both overtimes including five three pointers. Senior forward Jahmyl Telfort earned his first career double double in a Butler uniform with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for the Bulldogs was Junior Pierre Brooks with 13 points and Senior guard Posh Alexander with 12 points on the day.
Villanova was led in scoring by Eric Dixon who scored 28 points, Tyler Burton added a double double of his own with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
The game started out anything but pretty for Butler. Villanova jumped out of the gate and took an early 11-0 lead to begin the ballgame. Butler didn't score it's first points until 13 minutes in the first half. Butler only managed to score three points total in the first ten minutes and trailed by 14 points. The situation seemed very bleak for the home team.
Things got less daunting by halftime but the Bulldogs still trailed by nine heading into the break 36-27. Villanova was on fire from inside the arc in the first half. The Wildcats were 15-20 on two pointers. Butler simply provided no resistance. If Butler was to overcome the deficit it would have to turn up the defense in the second half and also score some buckets. Butler was led in the first half by Telfort who scored 10.
Butler in the second half still struggled early on. Midway through the second half Butler was shooting 4-16 on layups and 2-17 on three pointers. It was a miracle they only trailed by single digits at that point in the game. Last year's Butler team would have already been down and out for the count at that stage. This year's Butler team has the resiliency and mental toughness to fight through adversity. They have proven that several times this season and they showed it once again on Saturday.
With four minutes to go, Villanova led by 11 points. The metrics had Butler's chances of winning the game at only a mere four percent. Time was running out and Butler needed answers and fast. Those prayers would be answered in the form of one of the most improbable comebacks in recent memory in Hinkle Fieldhouse. Enter D.J. Davis and Jahmyl Telfort.
The Bulldogs trailed 64-59 with one minute remining in regulation. Davis hit a three pointer from the corner to trim the Wildcat lead to two points. After a defensive stop, Butler had the ball with twenty seconds remaining and a chance to send the game into overtime. Telfort drove to the basket and threw down a dunk with five seconds left that sent Hinkle into a frenzy. The game was tied for the first time the whole afternoon. The game was headed to overtime.
Butler's first lead of the game came in the extra session on a putback by senior Andre Screen to put The Bulldogs ahead 66-64. Villanova responded and once again took a four point lead in the closing minute of overtime and sure enough Butler responded right back. Davis scored a jumper from the wing and then a running layup with five seconds remaining. Double overtime was about to begin. Butler just wouldn't quit on this day.
As they had done in the first overtime, Villanova came out and took a four point lead on two early baskets and built a 78-74 lead midway through the second overtime. Once again, Butler had an answer. An 8-0 run by the Bulldogs would give the the lead for good at 82-78. Butler would then hit six straight free throws to seal the deal. 88-81 in double overtime. Butler had completed the comeback. Most would wonder how a game like this could happen. Butler fans understand how in two simple words: Hinkle magic.
Despite their cold shooting stretch during the start of the game, Butler would finish the game shooting 14-20 from the field and finish overall at 43 percent. Villanova would finish the game at 48 percent shooting for the day. Butler scored 40 points over the first 30 minutes of the basketball game and then would score 48 points over the final 18 minutes.
Butler seems very comfortable this season when games go into the extra session. The Bulldogs are 3-1 in overtime games this year including 3-0 at Hinkle Fieldhouse and 2-0 in double overtime games.
Hinkle Fieldhouse has been Villanova's kryptonite for awhile now. Since 2017, the Wildcats have won only two of the last eight meetings against the Bulldogs in Indianapolis.
Butler travels on the road next week in a matchup with 17th ranked Creighton while Villanova heads home to take on 14th ranked Marquette next Tuesday night.
