Tonight, Nova faces another stiff test as they travel to 18th ranked Butler. The Bulldogs are 12-2 and 8-0 at home. They own some impressive wins including Northwestern, Arizona, Utah, Cincinnati, and Indiana, and will be looking to add another one over the top-ranked Wildcats. Butler also suffered a surprising defeat to St. John’s in their Big East opener, which adds even more importance to an already big game as they look to avoid dropping to 1-2 in Big East play.

Statistically, this game is quite evenly matched. Nova is averaging 79.9 points per game to Butler’s 78. The Cats are giving up 62.1 points per game, while the Bulldogs are giving up 64.6. Villanova is knocking down 50.4% of their shots, while Butler is hitting 49.9%. Nova has a slight edge in the rebounding department, 35.3 to 31.2. Both teams are averaging three blocks. Butler is dishing out 14.6 assists to Nova’s 14.4, while Nova is swiping 6.6 steals to Butler’s 6.2. Both teams are shooting 39% from three. One spot Nova has a clear advantage is at the free throw line. The Cats are shooting 79% from the line to Butler’s 71%. Nova has also done an excellent job at limiting opponent’s free throw attempts. The charity stripe could play a big role in what looks to be a close game.

Butler is pretty balanced offensively. Kelan Martin leads the way with 18.1 points per game and adds 5.1 rebounds. Andrew Chrabascz is the only other Bulldog in double-figures with 11.9 points per game, and he is also grabbing 4.9 boards. Beyond those two, Butler has four players averaging better than seven points per game, including Tyler Wideman (9.1), Avery Woodson (8.4), Tyler Lewis (7.8), and Kamar Baldwin (7.8). Wideman leads the team in rebounding at 5.4 and Lewis leads in assists at 4.8.

Chrabascz, Lewis, Woodson, and Baldwin are all shooting 40% or better from three, while Martin hits at 38%.

Wideman, at 6-8, and Martin and Chrabascz at 6-7 key the frontcourt. 6-10 Nate Fowler and 6-11 Joey Brunk and size, but neither has been making a major impact. Fowler is getting just 11 minutes a game, while Brunk is getting just seven. There shouldn’t be much in the way of matchup problems for the Wildcats in this one, as slowing Martin will be the focus. I would expect to see Josh Hart matchup up with Martin a good deal tonight.

The trio of Woodson, Lewis, and Baldwin are the main players in the backcourt. Senior Kethan Savage will play a role as well. He is seeing his minutes increase after missing the first four games of the season. Savage scored 10 points in each of the first two Big East games for Butler, and can knock down the three as well. After missing his first five three pointers after returning to the lineup, he has hit five of his last seven. His numbers of 3.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists are a bit deceiving, and he can produce above those marks.

Unlike the Creighton game, Nova won’t have a dominant big man to contend with tonight. I like the way Nova matches up with the Bulldogs, and usually when the game comes down to guard play the advantage goes to the Wildcats. Slowing Martin will be key, and I would like to see Nova continue to use their advantage at the free throw line.

This should be a pretty close game, but I think Nova has the advantage. They have shown the ability to deal with hostile environments, and their experience and toughness should help in this one. It will be another good test for the Cats, and they have an opportunity to grab a two game cushion over one of their main threats in the Big East and another impressive road win.