Butler Shocked By Division II Northern State

Every year a Division II or III team pulls off a shocker in the early season exhibitions. Just last season the University of Indianapolis stunned Tennessee. The year before that tiny LeMoyne shocked eventual #1 seed Syracuse. Now two-time National Runner-Up Butler has been made the victim.

Just a night after losing 78-46 at Purdue the Northern State Wolves went into Hinkle Fieldhouse and stunned Butler 53-50. The Bulldogs, who have lost much of their squad from the last two Final Fours, was picked to win the Horizon League once again, this time for a third straight season despite losing Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard from their core roster.

That meant very little Tuesday night, as Butler shot 18 of 55 from the field for 33%, which was still better than their performance in last season's National title game against Connecticut. Andrew Smith had 19 points and Khyle Marshall 14, but Northern State countered with a balanced attack led by Collin Pryor with 18. It was Alex Thomas who one the game for the Wolves on a 3-pointer as time expired. that capped a 12-0 run by Northern State over the game's final 3:17.