Butler basketball has ‘appropriate fear’ of low-major opponents after last season’s losses

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• Butler basketball’s early nonconference schedule features opponents ranked near the bottom of Division I.
• The Bulldogs are approaching their opening games with caution after suffering upsets last season.
• Coach Thad Matta is focused on the team’s growth and continuous improvement throughout the season.

INDIANAPOLIS — Calling the Butler basketball team’s early nonconference schedule a cake walk could be considered an insult to pastries worldwide.

Per KenPom’s preseason rankings, Butler’s first three opponents rank Southern Indiana (279), IU Indy (344) and Chicago State (362) among the bottom of 365 Division-I teams.

The Bulldogs open as 21-point favorites against USI and will be heavy favorites against IU Indy and Chicago State as well. Rankings and point spreads aside, the Dawgs know all that goes out the window once the ball tips off.

Last season, Butler suffered nonconference upsets to Austin Peay and North Dakota State. Because of those bad losses, junior Finley Bizjack is approaching Wednesday’s opener against Southern Indiana with a different mindset.

“I think we’re very excited, but we also have an appropriate fear of our opponents and a level of respect,” Bizjack said. “Having come off a season where we lost to two mid-major teams, I definitely feel like these teams are dangerous.

“It’s early on in the season, everyone is trying to find their identities, and these are like must-win games. We definitely have a kill or be killed mentality and we’re ready to play tomorrow.”

Bizjack added that the Dawgs plan to enter every game with a focus on their ultimate goal — reaching the NCAA ournament. Coach Thad Matta said in a perfect world his team goes undefeated, but since that likely won’t be the case, he’s approaching this season with a broader outlook.

Wins are losses are important, but his focus heading into the season is on growth. If the Dawgs continue to improve and progress, wins should come.

“The two exhibition games we played, we played quality opponents, and we hope that those situations — the crowd and all that — has helped us progress in terms of maturity, in terms of experience and knowing that our best basketball is ahead,” Matta said.

“I thought we were better from the Notre Dame game to the Indiana State game. [Wednesday] is just another test. If we just keep climbing the ladder and getting better, and better, and better, that’s ultimately what I’m after.”