Butler Bulldogs vs Marquette Golden Eagles: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

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Butler Bulldogs vs Marquette Golden Eagles: Predictions, Odds and Roster Notes

Andre Viljoen - February 7, 2020

How to Watch

Where: Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, WI

When: Sunday, February 9th at 12 pm EST

How (TV): Fox Sports 1

Butler Bulldogs (Away)

Head Coach: LaVall Jordan {Overall: 18-5 | Conference: 6-4, T-3rd in Big East}

One of the best defensive teams in the nation, the Butler Bulldogs are having their best year under third-year coach LaVall Jordan.

The Bulldogs have made opposing offenses in the Big East work hard for every point, ranking first in the conference in opponent field goal percentage, while also ranking second in offensive rebounds surrendered.

With the nation’s top scorer in Markus Howard facing Butler this Sunday, the Bulldogs will be in for a tough test in their second game against the Golden Eagles.

For more on Markus Howard and Butler vs Marquette check out our video on the best prop bets this week.

Butler is coming off of a hard-earned win over 10th ranked Villanova, beating the Wildcats 79-76 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Senior forward Sean McDermott led the way with 21 points and eight rebounds, while fellow forward Bryce Golden added 18 points. The Bulldogs’ leading scorer, Kamar Baldwin made the play of the game, hitting a buzzer-beater three-pointer from the corner for the win to cap off his 17 point outing.

Marquette Golden Eagles (Home)

Markus Howard of @MarquetteMBB had his 7th career 40-point game today at Georgetown.
His 7 career 40-point games are more than twice as many as any other player in Big East history has. pic.twitter.com/PL0DfR1VD1
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 18, 2020

Head Coach: Steve Wojciechowski {Overall: 16-6 | Conference: 6-4 T-3rd in Big East}

Having not played since February 1st, the Marquette Golden Eagles should be well-rested when the 19th ranked Butler comes to Fiserv Forum.

Marquette has used a balanced approach on offense to average 78.3 points per game, ranking 15th in the nation in three-point attempts while ranking 18th in free throw line visits.

The program’s all-time leading scorer Markus Howard has played a big part in that, as the reigning Big East Player of the Year has tallied ten games with 30 points or more this season, including a 51 point explosion against USC on November 29th.

Howard has also has had nine games where he had double-digit free throw attempts, as well as ten outings where he hit at least five shots from beyond the arc, with the Arizona native nailing nine in the aforementioned 51 point game.

Coach Wojo will look to have his star player put forth a more efficient showing in their second game against the Bulldogs, as Howard managed to put up 26 points in the 89-85 loss on January 24th.

The 5-11 scorer struggled with his outside shot, throwing up a season-high 18 long-range attempts, connecting on just four of them while committing five turnovers.

Butler vs Marquette All-Time Series

The two Big East foes will be meeting for the 25th time on Sunday, with the Bulldogs and Golden Eagles splitting the series 12 games apiece.

Marquette will look to log their first-ever win over a ranked Butler team, as they currently sit at 0-5 in those games. The Golden Eagles did manage to win last year’s game at Fiserv Forum, coming out on top 79-69 behind a 28 point performance from Howard, while McDermott led Butler with 27 points in the loss.

Butler Roster Notes

Junior guard Campbell Donovan is out for the season after tearing his ACL early in the season.

Junior forward Christian David is out for the season after tearing his ACL in Butler’s first game against Villanova.

Marquette Roster Notes

Senior forward Ed Morrow is no longer with the team due to personal reasons as of January 23rd.

Head-to-Head: Kamar Baldwin (BUT) vs Sacar Anim (MARQ)

Post-Game Press Conference:
“Did you know it was in when it left your hand?”
“Yes, sir.” pic.twitter.com/hC68SgapjI
— Butler Basketball (@ButlerMBB) February 6, 2020

Kamar Baldwin

Guard | 6-1, 195lb | Apalachee HS | Winder, GA | Senior

16.0 PPG | 3.1 APG | 4.5 RPG | 1.0 SPG | 0.5 BPG | 2.2 TOV | .405 FG% | .310 3P%

Having averaged double digits as a scorer during each of his four years in Indianapolis, Kamar Baldwin has been one of the best players in Butler’s history.

Currently ranked sixth in program history in points behind two-time national runner-up Matt Howard, Baldwin should be eagerly awaiting the upcoming matchup with Marquette, as he dropped a season-high 31 points on the Golden Eagles in their first meeting this season.

Furthermore, despite standing at six-foot-one, Baldwin is not afraid to battle for rebounds on the defensive end, as he has eight games with at least six rebounds thus far.

Sacar Anim

Shooting Guard/Small Forward | 6-5, 210lb | DeLaSalle HS | Minneapolis, MN | Senior

13.3 PPG | 1.4 APG | 4.0 RPG | 1.0 SPG | 0.3 BPG | 1.8 TOV | .447 FG% | .422 3P%

When you have the nation’s leading scorer on your team, having a reliable second option can be the ultimate key to success when that guy is having a bad game.

Thankfully for Marquette, they have that role filled with senior swingman Sacar Anim, who has been the top scorer in three games so far, each of them being wins.

Anim has shown that he is capable of making an impact against top competition, with three 20 point games in conference play as well as a 21 point performance against a likely tournament team in Maryland on December 1st.