INDIANAPOLIS – A year ago, former Butler coach Chris Holtmann wondered whether he had jeopardized the Bulldogs’ basketball season with such a rigorous nonleague schedule. As it turns out, victories over Northwestern, Vanderbilt, No. 9 Arizona, Utah, No. 23 Cincinnati and No. 9 Indiana helped propel the Dawgs to a No. 4 seed, their highest ever for an NCAA tournament.
The 2017-18 nonleague schedule, announced Monday, puts new Butler coach LaVall Jordan in a similar scenario. Win key games, and the Bulldogs could be on their way to a fourth consecutive NCAA tourney and 10th in 12 years.