No. 25 Butler visits Valpo in Horizon League action

NCAA Basketball Betting Lines

01/03/2009 - Valparaiso, IN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Horizon League foes are set to square off this evening, as the Valparaiso Crusaders play host to the 25th-ranked Butler Bulldogs.

Butler opened the season with eight straight victories before dropping a three-point decision to Ohio State in Columbus. Fortunately, the Bulldogs have responded well to that loss, as they have won their last three outings. On Tuesday, they knocked off UAB in a 72-68 final, and while that was a non- conference clash, they do own a 2-0 mark against league foes.

Valparaiso carried a five-game losing streak into Tuesday's game against North Park. That contest resulted in a much-needed 78-47 triumph, but tonight's tilt marks a major leap in competition level. The club is 4-9 overall, including 1-1 in HL action.

The Bulldogs own a 62-32 series lead against the Crusaders, which includes five straight wins over Valparaiso.

Butler trailed UAB by 11 points at intermission on Tuesday. Fortunately, the Bulldogs played extremely well in the second half, as they nailed seven three- pointers and shot 18-of-24 from the foul line to claim the comeback victory. They earned a 31-23 rebounding advantage in the tilt and outscored the Blazers by 15 points from the charity stripe. All of the positives enabled Butler to overcome 19 turnovers. Shelvin Mack led the way in the win with 22 points, and Matt Howard pitched in 19 points. Through 12 games, Howard is scoring 13.8 ppg to go along with other team highs of 7.2 rpg and 16 blocked shots. Mack is close behind with his 13.3 ppg, and Gordon Hayward adds 12.8 ppg. The Bulldogs are generating 68.9 ppg while limiting opponents to 56.8 ppg on 39.1 percent shooting from the floor.

Valparaiso has struggled at the offensive end of the court this season, as the club generates only 61.5 ppg. The Crusaders, who are shooting 42.3 percent from the floor, are knocking down only 59.7 percent of their free throws. The only double-digit scorer on the roster is Urule Igbavboa, as he is posting 10.9 ppg. In the romp over little known North Park on Tuesday, the Crusaders shot 53.2 percent from the floor, and they racked up 21 assists against only nine turnovers. They also earned a 31-23 rebounding advantage, including 15-7 on the offensive boards. Perhaps most impressive was the fact that they forced 26 turnovers. Howard Little paced Valpo in scoring with 16 points, and Igbavboa pitched in with 15. Erik Buggs and Cameron Witt both had 10 points.

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