GAME NOTES: The 14th-ranked Butler Bulldogs are heavy favorites in today's Horizon League matchup with the lowly Detroit Titans. Detroit is just 7-21 on the season, and the team has lost 14 of its 17 league contests. The Titans are 1-11 in true road games and have currently lost their last three outings, including a 59-56 setback at Valparaiso on Thursday. As for Butler, it clinched the top seed in next week's Horizon League Tournament with a 66-61 victory over Wright State on Thursday. The Bulldogs have won 10 of their last 11 games, as the only setback during that span came against Drake last Saturday in non- conference action. They are 26-3 overall, including 11-1 at home, and they own a 15-2 conference record. Butler beat Detroit by a 53-46 final back on December 6th, and the Bulldogs own a 36-27 advantage in the all-time series.

Detroit has struggled with its offensive production so far this season, as the squad is generating only 60.6 ppg on 42.5 percent shooting from the floor. The Titans are allowing 65.6 ppg to the opposition, and while many of the losses have been by a narrow margin, that serves as little consolation to the players and their fans. Jon Goode is the leading scorer for Detroit with 19.3 ppg on the strength of his 44.6 percent accuracy from three-point range. Unfortunately, the standout will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. The only other double-digit scorer in the lineup is Chris Hayes with 10.8 ppg. In the narrow loss to Valparaiso last time out, Goode was certainly missed. Josh Samarco scored 15 points for the Titans, and Eulis Stephens added 14 of his own.

The Bulldogs are limiting opponents to a mere 59.0 ppg, one of the primary reasons they have been so successful this season. Mike Green is a tremendously versatile point guard who leads the team in scoring (14.6 ppg), rebounding (6.2 rpg), and assists (5.0). A.J. Graves adds 13.9 ppg, but he has been an inconsistent shooter. Matt Howard (12.9 ppg) and Pete Campbell (10.8 ppg) are both solid contributors. Four of the five starters scored in double figures for Butler in Thursday's win over Wright State. Julian Betko led the way with 17 points, as he nailed 5-of-7 three-pointers. Green was outstanding as usual, as he racked up 15 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. The Bulldogs only shot 36.4 percent from the field in the second half, but a low total of six turnovers in the clash proved key.

Butler is the smart pick today, as it is far superior to Detroit. Without Goode, the Titans have very little chance of even staying close.