College Basketball Betting Guide

The Butler Bulldogs men’s basketball team represents Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana.  The team’s nickname was originally the “Christians”, but after a poor football season in 1919 they grew tired of the name.  It then changed a few more times including the nickname the “Baptists”, until one day a bulldog from a local fraternity wandered into the office and the bulldog craze was created.  They are part of the NCAA Division 1 league, and are currently in the Horizon League.  Their current coach is Brad Stevens.

The Bulldogs have won a championship prior to the development of the NCAA Tournament.  The first championship was in 1924 but they didn’t have another post-season win until 1958 when the team went to the NIT quarterfinals.  When it comes to the NIT, the Bulldogs have made seven appearances, and have reached the quarterfinals twice.

In past years the Butler Bulldogs men’s basketball team has been known for its mid major basketball programs.  This means that they have won over 20 games per season and also gotten to the postseason in 11 of 13 seasons.  During this stretch they had 8 different appearances in the NCAA Tournament and have reached the Sweet Sixteen twice (2003, 2007).

The Bulldogs have had some talented players come through the program including AJ Graves and Mike Green.  Graves was the Wooden Award National Player of the Year finalist in 2007, and Mike Green was the Chip Hilton Player of the year in 2008.  They have struggled to have any real runs at the National Championship, but have established a style of play that is promising and is warmly known as the “Butler way”.