It does not matter how good Georgetown really is, or how bad the matchup was. Bottom line: This was a damaging defeat.
The Hoyas’ 87-83 victory on Tuesday night changed Butler’s NCAA tournament prospects from probable to perilous. It wasn’t merely the outcome, either.
During a three-game losing streak, Butler has twice lost at Hinkle Fieldhouse to opponents shooting 59 percent. No. 4 Xavier did so in a 98-93 overtime victory, and so did Georgetown.
Coach LaVall Jordan did not want to elaborate on the harm this loss did to the Bulldogs’ resume, but he was otherwise expansive.