Place Your Bets: Butler at Detroit (Feb. 5)

No. 11 Butler (19-2, 10-1) at Detroit (6-15, 1-10)

Thursday Feb. 5, 2009 — 8:00PM EST

Spread: Butler -11

Backcourt Advantage: Butler
The young Bulldogs will look to try to get back on track against the lowly Detroit Titans.  Butler is coming off its first conference loss, a 75-66 defeat to Wisconsin-Green Bay.  It was the most points Butler has given up so far this season, so they will try to shore up its defense in this one.  Detroit, on the other hand, is fresh off its first conference win of the season, a 68-64 win on the road against Youngstown State.

Frontcourt Advantage: Butler
Forwards Matt Howard (13.3 points per game) and Gordon Hayward (13.4 ppg) hope they can take care of Detroit better than they did in their first meeting.  Butler won 54-50 on Jan. 10 despite shooting only 2-for-10 from behind the 3-point line, their lowest total of the season.  Both defenses played well and Detroit actually out-rebounded Butler, 29-20, in the game, including grabbing 13 offensive rebounds.  But don't let that fool you, as Howard was in foul trouble for most of the game.  With Howard on the floor and the Bulldogs determined not to let Detroit sneak up on them again, Butler should take care of business.

Momentum: Butler
The Bulldogs haven't lost back-to-back conference games since January 2006 and are now tied for the conference lead with Wisconsin-Green Bay, after losing to them Saturday.  Look for Butler to clamp down on defense, knock down some threes, and get the win on the road.

Shaun's Pick: Butler -11

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