At a Glance: Butler at Loyola - Indianapolis Star

» Tipoff: 2 p.m. today, Gentile Center, Chicago.

» TV: WNDY-23.

» Radio: WFNI-1070 AM.

DOGGED ON DEFENSE

Statistics underscore improvement in Butler's defense. In each of their five Horizon League victories, the Bulldogs have allowed fewer than 0.91 points per possession, according to kenpom.com. By comparison, the 2010 NCAA runners-up averaged 0.86, or fifth in the nation. Butler allowed more than one point per possession in seven of its nine defeats this season.

Illinois-Chicago scored two field goals in the opening 12 minutes of the second half in Thursday's 57-49 loss to Butler. "That was kind of the difference in the game there," UIC coach Howard Moore said. "We just struggled to score." UIC shot 33.3 percent and averaged 0.82 points per possession. Opponents have shot 35.6 percent in Butler's five league wins.

Expect another low score today. Loyola is allowing 60.7 ppg, which would be its lowest average since 54.3 in 1949-50. The Ramblers aren't scoring much, either -- 49.0 ppg in the past three games of a six-game losing streak.

BY THE NUMBERS

Nine Butler players have scored as many as 15 points in one game. . . . Andrew Smith and Ronald Nored are tied for the Butler scoring lead in league games (11.2 ppg). . . . Butler has won its past five visits to Loyola. Butler has won four straight in the series and 10-of-12. . . . Loyola's 0-8 league start is its worst ever. The Ramblers have lost nine regular-season Horizon games in a row. . . . Butler is 3-1 in its past four road games. . . . Renovations at Gentile Arena reduced capacity from 5,200 to 4,486.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Michael Lewis was on Loyola's staff for three weeks last spring before resigning to become an assistant coach at Butler. . . . Loyola assistant Jason Gardner was 1999 Indianapolis Star Indiana Mr. Basketball at North Central. . . . Former Butler C Joel Cornette will be the analyst for the Horizon League Game of the Week telecast.

The Bulldogs (11-9, 5-3)

[chart]
|Player|Ht.|PPG|Key stat|
|Khyle Marshall|6-6|9.0|55% FG|
|Roosevelt Jones|6-4|6.7|5.5 rpg|
|Andrew Smith|6-11|10.5|5.5 rpg|
|Ronald Nored|6-0|7.8|4.7 apg|
|Chase Stigall|6-3|7.1|36 3s|
[end chart]

The Ramblers (5-13, 0-8)

[chart]
|Player|Ht.|PPG|Key stat|
|Walt Gibler|6-7|14.1|53% FG|
|Jordan Hicks|6-6|5.0|2.5 rpg|
|Ben Averkamp|6-8|14.3|7.0 rpg|
|Joe Crisman|6-4|7.7|1.6 apg|
|Denzel Brito|6-2|7.0|3.6 apg|
[end chart]