Wednesday, November 26th, 7:00 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Hinkle Fieldhouse (11,043) -- Indianapolis, Indiana. Television: None. Home Record: Northwestern 2-0, Butler 2-0. Away Record: Northwestern 1-0, Butler 1-0. Neutral Record: Northwestern 0-0, Butler 0-0. Conference Record: Northwestern 0-0, Butler 0-0. Series Record: Northwestern leads, 16-6.

GAME NOTES: The Butlers Bulldogs play the third of four straight home games tonight, as they host the Northwestern Wildcats in a battle on unbeaten teams at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs have enjoyed a fast start to the season, winning all three of their games, including two by double figures. The team was most recently in action on Saturday, when it crushed NAIA opponent IU- South Bend by an 87-33 score. The 54-point triumph is the biggest margin of victory for Butler in the modern era and the second largest in school history. It was also the program's sixth straight win at Hinkle Fieldhouse, dating back to last season. As for Northwestern, it has also won its first three games of the season, marking its best start in 15 seasons. The Wildcats were also in play this past weekend, scoring a 73-64 win at Brown. It was the first road win for Northwestern, which will open a four-game homestand on Monday. Northwestern leads the all-time series with Butler, 16-6, but the teams haven't met since 1986.

The Wildcats made good on 14-of-24 of their attempts from beyond the arc, as they downed Brown this past weekend. Northwestern also shot a solid 51.9 percent from the floor, while forcing Brown into 13 more turnovers. Craig Moore made a school-record nine three pointers en route to a career-high 31 points. Michael Thompson posted 15 points and five assists, and Kevin Coble chipped in with 10 points in the win. After three games, Moore leads the squad in scoring at 17.3 ppg and he is also handing out 3.7 apg. Coble adds 14.3 ppg and 5.0 rpg to the rotation, while Thompson puts forth 11.3 ppg and 3.3 apg.

The Bulldogs forced 21 turnovers and scored 29 points from those miscues en route to a lopsided win over IU-South Bend on Saturday. The team also dominated the glass, 44-30, in addition to making 11 three-pointers. Shelvin Mack led the charge with 19 points and three assists, while Avery Jukes and Gordon Hayward each posted 15 points and six rebounds. Willie Veasley contributed 11 points and seven boards, and Matt Howard had nine points and five assists. Howard leads the team in scoring (12.0 ppg) and rebounding (6.3 rpg) after three games and Hayward ranks second to him with 11.7 ppg and 5.7 rpg. Mack chips in with 11.3 ppg for the Bulldogs, who are limiting opponents to just 45.3 ppg on the year.

Butler has the homecourt advantage here and that, along with a solid defensive effort, is the reason why it should come out on top tonight.

Predicted Outcome

Butler 58, Northwestern 53