GAME NOTES: The ninth-ranked Butler Bulldogs continue their quest for a Horizon League regular season title, and they are heavily favored in tonight's matchup with Youngstown State. The Penguins have lost seven of their last eight games, so don't expect a confident group this evening. They are coming off a 50-47 setback to Wright State that dropped them to 8-16 overall and 4-10 in conference action. Youngstown State has played 12 true road games this season, and 10 of those have resulted in defeat. As for Butler, it has won its last six outings and is 22-2 overall, including 11-2 in HL play. The Bulldogs needed overtime to knock off Wisconsin-Milwaukee by an 83-75 final on Tuesday, but the fact that they were able to win on the road in the extra session was impressive. At home this season, Butler is a perfect 8-0, and all five league home wins have come by eight or more points. Butler has won 13 of the 15 all- time meetings with Youngstown State, including a 78-69 win over the Penguins in the first clash this season.

Youngstown State is not an explosive offensive team by any means, as it is generating only 64.1 ppg on 42.3 percent shooting from the floor. The Penguins have three double-digit scorers in the lineup, and Byron Davis leads the pack with his 14.3 ppg. John Barber is scoring 13.9 ppg, and he is pulling down 7.3 rpg. Jack Liles rounds out the trio with 10.3 ppg on the strength of his 54.1 percent shooting from the field. Barber played well in the loss to Wright State last Saturday, as he scored 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. Unfortunately, the rest of team combined to connect on only 7-of-33 field goal attempts, including 1-of-18 from three-point range. If not for an 11-3 edge in points from the foul line, the game would not have been as close.

Strong defense is clearly the key to Butler's success, as it is limiting opponents to a mere 59.0 ppg. The Bulldogs are generating 69.4 ppg at the offensive end, and Mike Green leads a foursome of double-digit scorers with 15.4 ppg. A truly versatile performer, Green is pulling down 9.3 rpg to go along with 119 assists, and he has 37 steals to his credit as well. A.J. Graves is second on the roster with 13.8 ppg, but his 35.9 percent shooting from the floor leaves much to be desired. Matt Howard is scoring 13.1 ppg, and Pete Campbell adds 11.4 ppg to the mix. Green racked up 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in the overtime win over UW-Milwaukee on Tuesday. Willie Weasley and Campbell both scored 12 points off the bench, and Graves finished with 11 points despite his woeful 2-of-14 shooting effort from the field. Butler only committed seven turnovers in the clash and limited the Panthers to 39.7 percent shooting from the floor.

Obviously, Butler should have no trouble getting past Youngstown State. Graves is the most recognizable player on the team, but Green is far superior to his backcourt mate.