Butler returns home to face struggling Eastern Illinois

Field Level Media|published: Mon 2nd December, 15:37 2024

Butler Bulldogs head coach Thad Matta points to the replay on the screen while staring at the referee on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, during the game at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Butler returns home to Indianapolis on Tuesday night for another nonconference test as it welcomes in Eastern Illinois.

The Bulldogs (6-1) are coming off a successful road trip, winning the Arizona Tip-Off tournament by defeating Northwestern 71-69 on Thursday and then-No. 25 Mississippi State 87-77 on Friday.

Against Mississippi State, Jahmyl Telfort led the way with 24 points for Butler while Pierre Brooks II added 22 along with nine boards. Notably, Butler shot 12-of-22 (54.5 percent) from beyond the arc.

Telfort spoke on how Butler has responded well after being upset at home by Austin Peay earlier this season.

"I think it helped a lot. It kind of helped us face adversity and was kind of a wakeup call for us," he said. "We understood what people are saying outside of our team, but as long as we stay focused on who we are, we know we're a great team."

Head coach Thad Matta was asked by reporters after Friday's game whether this team showed it's good enough to make the NCAA Tournament.

"Who knows what's going to happen? It's a great win for us. We beat a really good basketball team," Matta said. "But as I told the guys, we'll celebrate this win, then get ready for Eastern Illinois, then we've got a heck of a two weeks ahead of us coming up."

That two-week stretch features games vs. No. 17 Houston and No. 11 Wisconsin, then its first two Big East game against No. 5 Marquette and No. 25 UConn.

Eastern Illinois (2-5) has encountered some stiff competition as well, facing teams such as Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern (whom they lost to in overtime) and DePaul.

The Panthers bounced back well in their most recent game on Friday, taking down rival Northern Illinois 72-59 in the DePaul Classic MTE. They shot 57.7 percent from the floor in the second half to secure the win.

Nakyel Shelton led the way with 26 points while Kooper Jacobi added 19 along with a game-high 16 rebounds.

These teams last faced off in 2021, with Butler winning a tight one 66-54 in Indianapolis.

--Field Level Media