Preview

INDIANAPOLIS (Interstat) — The Butler Bulldogs, off to a strong 6-1 start, will host the Eastern Michigan Eagles at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse on Tuesday in a non-conference men’s basketball matchup. Butler returns home following a dominant 94-69 victory over Wright State on Friday. In that game, Michael Ajayi and Finley Bizjack each scored 20 points, while Ajayi added eight rebounds and four assists. Yohan Traore contributed 16 points off the bench. The Bulldogs’ only blemish this season is a narrow 87-85 road loss to SMU. Eastern Michigan (5-3) arrives with momentum after a 73-55 win over NJIT on the same night. Mohammad Habhab led the Eagles with 22 points in that contest, with Godslove Nwabude adding 12 points and four blocks. The Eagles have shown resilience, including a road win at Cincinnati, but also suffered a lopsided 87-46 loss at Louisville. This game pits Butler’s high-powered offense against an Eastern Michigan team looking to build its resume with a significant road victory. The contest begins a challenging stretch for the Bulldogs, who face Boise State and a Big East slate looming next. For the Eagles, it’s a final major non-conference test before a meeting with Cleary and a series of Mid-American Conference games.