Ronald Nored News

Ronald Nored received a rousing reception, if not the victory he sought. For Tuesday night's game at Alabama-Birmingham, the Butler sophomore had a cheering section of 155 fans from Section 226 in the upper level of Bartow Arena.

Butler will be the visitors tonight at Bartow Arena in a non-conference game against UAB.

Jordan Crawford didn't make a triumphant return Saturday to Indiana. But he left an imprint at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Gordon Hayward grabbed a loose ball and put in a layup with 1.2 seconds left, giving No.

Playing just their second true road game of the season, the Xavier Musketeers make their way to Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis where they will contend with 21st-ranked Butler this afternoon.

If Butler's basketball schedule hasn't been challenging enough already, up next are two teams -- Xavier and UAB -- with perhaps as much talent as any opponent except No.

Maybe you weren't as surprised as I was that Butler, with three defeats, remained in the Top 25 of both college basketball polls.

What we learned from No. 22 Butler's 74-66 Saturday afternoon victory over No. 13 Ohio State at Hinkle Fieldhouse: Everybody needs to lighten up Butler's game against Ohio State was widely discussed as a must-win game for the Bulldogs because they'd already lost three to high-major competition, including to Georgetown earlier in the week.

This might not have been what coach Brad Stevens and his Butler Bulldogs were awaiting, but it is what the hype machine has been expecting: To see a nationally ranked Butler team play like one.

This is the Big Apple, so it's time for a big over-reaction. Here goes: -- Brad Stevens should be put on notice.

Greetings from Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse , where Valparaiso hopes to win its first game against Butler since joining the Horizon League.

Although Gordon Hayward's shooting stroke was a little off, his all-around play earned him a spot on the five-man all-tournament team announced at the 76 Classic late Sunday night.

Texas' Dexter Pittman, right, scores over Rice defender Trey Stanton during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at Rice's Tudor Field House, Sunday, Nov.

Gordon Hayward made two free throws with 0.6 seconds to play, giving No. 12 Butler a 69-67 victory over UCLA in the 76 Classic on Friday night.

College basketball tournaments such as the Thanksgiving weekend's 76 Classic at Anaheim, Calif., are high risk/high reward for Butler.

DANIEL R. PATMORE / Courier Press Butler's Ronald Nored drives the ball past a screen and Evansville's Kavon Lacey during Saturday night's game at Roberts Stadium.

In his 63rd college basketball game, guard Shawn Vanzant made his first start for Butler.

Quick thoughts from No. 11 Butler's 73-62 victory over Davidson: -- The game evolved much as expected, although I could not have foreseen Butler starting 3-of-16 from the field.

The 11th-ranked Butler Bulldogs set their sights on another Horizon League Championship and NCAA Tournament bid, as they open the 2009-10 basketball season this afternoon in Indianapolis, against the Davidson Wildcats.

Last season: 26-6, 15-3 Key returnees: F Matt Howard, Jr. ; F Gordon Hayward, So.