#MUBB Visits Butler Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CT

The 18th-ranked Marquette University men's basketball team (16-8, 8-5 BIG EAST) wraps up a two-game road swing when the squad travels to Butler (11-13, 4-9 BIG EAST) for a 3:30 p.m. CT matchup at Hinkle Fieldhouse. FS1 features the national television broadcast, with Alex Faust (play-by-play) and Steve Lavin (analyst) calling the action. Following Saturday's outing, the Golden Eagles will return home to host Georgetown on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. CT.

Series With Butler Spans Program History

The all-time series dates back to the 1922-23 campaign and is led by Butler, 23-22.

MU claimed the first-ever meeting, 18-17, on Dec. 16, 1922, only to see the Bulldogs claim the next nine matchups. Marquette also collected a nine-game win streak between 1942 and 1990, with the last two contests during that run coming when both programs were members of the Midwestern Collegiate Conference.

Following Marquette's move to the Great Midwest Conference in 1991-92, the two teams wouldn't meet until Butler beat the Golden Eagles at the buzzer in the opening game of the 2012 Maui Invitational. MU would return the favor in the 2013 NCAA tournament, downing the Bulldogs 74-72 in the closing seconds to earn a trip to the squad's third-straight Sweet 16 appearance.

The Golden Eagles swept the home-and-home series in 2020-21 and have claimed four of the last five outings overall. The Bulldogs, who will visit National Marquette Day on Feb. 26, are the only league team MU has yet to face in 2021-22.

MU Among League's Best At Both Ends

Marquette, selected ninth in the preseason coaches poll, is currently in fourth place in the BIG EAST, thanks in large part to continued improvement at both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.

Through game of Feb. 9, the Golden Eagles top the league in field goal percentage (46.7) in conference outings and are also No. 1 among BIG EAST programs for their season-long effort from the field (45.1 percent). The team is also knocking down 39.1 percent of its chances from long distance since the league lidlifter, also the top effort in BIG EAST action.

Defensively, Marquette his holding league opponents to just 39.2 percent from the field, the second-best mark in league play. Opponents in conference action are shooting just 30.2 percent from long distance and MU's 8.8 steals per contest is just ahead of St. John's for the top spot.

Lewis Named To Naismith List, POY Candidate

BIG EAST Player of the Year candidate Justin Lewis has been named one of 30 players on the midseason watch list for the Naismith Trophy, awarded to the top collegiate player at the conclusion of the season.

One of the most improved players in the country as well, the Baltimore, native is first in the league in scoring (17.6 ppg.) through Feb. 9 in conference outings and fourth in rebounding (8.1 rpg.). His name can also be found among the league leaders in field goal percentage, free throw percentage, 3-pointers made and defensive rebounds.

In all games, Lewis is among the BIG EAST's best in six categories, including second in scoring (16.6 ppg.) and third in rebounding (8.0 rpg.)

At Seton Hall on Jan. 26, Lewis finished with a personal-high 33 points on 11-of-19 shooting from the floor, including a 4-of-7 effort from behind the 3-point line. He also dished out a career-best six assists and three steals.

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Players Mentioned

Justin Lewis