
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represents Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team currently competes in the Big East Conference, playing their home games at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs first joined a Division I conference in 1932 when they joined the Missouri Valley Conference. They qualified for Division I post-season play for the first time in 1993 and have since appeared in 16 NCAA Division I Tournaments, with a combined record of 24-16. The team has risen to national prominence in recent years, with a philosophy centred on commitment and teamwork.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the team | Butler Bulldogs |
| University | Butler University |
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Conference | Big East Conference |
| Home games | Hinkle Fieldhouse |
| Previous conferences | Horizon League, Atlantic 10, Missouri Valley Conference, Mid-American Conference, Indiana Collegiate Conference, Mid-American Conference, Horizon League, Atlantic 10 Conference |
| NCAA Division I appearances | 16 |
| NCAA Division I record | 24-16 |
| NIT appearances | 10 |
| NIT record | 5-10 |
| CBI appearances | 1 |
| CBI record | 2-1 |
| NCAA Division I Women's Basketball appearances | 1 |
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What You'll Learn

The Butler Way philosophy
- Humility: Knowing and acknowledging one's strengths and weaknesses.
- Passion: Committing to excellence and avoiding mediocrity.
- Commitment: Dedicating oneself fully to the team and its success.
- Selflessness: Putting the team above individual desires and working together.
- Reality: Accepting the current situation, seeking constant improvement, and making the most of one's abilities.
The philosophy was originally forged by legendary coach and administrator Tony Hinkle and has become an integral part of the team's culture and identity. It promotes a sense of dedication, teamwork, and continuous improvement, contributing to the team's success and influencing the university's student body and admissions process. The Butler Way philosophy has helped establish Butler University as a prominent basketball program, gaining national recognition and attracting a broader audience.
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The Bulldogs' rise to national prominence
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team has enjoyed success in Division 1 basketball, representing Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Bulldogs first joined a Division 1 conference in 1932 when the men's basketball team joined the Missouri Valley Conference. They have since played in other regional conferences, including the Horizon League, the Atlantic 10 Conference, and now the Big East Conference.
The Bulldogs rose to national prominence in the late 1990s, ranking in most media polls and consistently competing in the postseason. They have appeared in 16 NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 24-16, and have qualified for the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament 12 times, reaching the Sweet Sixteen three times and the National Championship game twice.
In 2010, the Bulldogs made history by advancing to the National Championship game for the first time, ultimately falling to Duke. They repeated this feat in the following NCAA tournament, losing to UConn. The Bulldogs also won the National Championship in 1927, although it was before the tournament was established, so it does not count for NCAA records.
The Bulldogs have also received national attention for their philosophy, known as "The Butler Way," which emphasises complete commitment and teamwork. Their success has been attributed to this unique style of play, which has brought them a dedicated fan base and significant media coverage.
The women's basketball program at Butler University began in the 1975-76 season and competed in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW). They qualified for Division 1 postseason play for the first time in 1993 and competed in the NCAA Division 1 women's basketball tournament for the first time in 1996.
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History of Butler University fan base
The Butler Bulldogs are the athletic teams that represent Butler University, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team has enjoyed a rich history of success, with a passionate fan base to match. The team first joined a Division I conference in 1932 when they became part of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Butler's basketball team has a long and proud tradition, with their first game played in the Fieldhouse on March 7, 1928, resulting in a victory over Notre Dame with 12,000 fans in attendance. The Fieldhouse was officially dedicated later that year, and it went on to become a significant venue for more than just basketball games. In 1932, President Herbert Hoover delivered a speech to an estimated crowd of 23,000, showcasing the Fieldhouse's ability to host major events. In 1965, the facility was renamed Hinkle Fieldhouse in honour of legendary coach and athletic director Paul D. "Tony" Hinkle, who contributed to the University's athletic success for nearly 50 years. Hinkle was also instrumental in introducing the orange basketball, providing better visibility for players and fans alike.
The Bulldogs have a proud history in Division I basketball, qualifying for the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament for the first time in 1962. They have since qualified or been selected for the NCAA tournament twelve times, reaching the Championship game in 2010 for the first time in school history. This success has brought national attention, with two studies estimating that the team's appearances in the 2010 and 2011 NCAA tournament championship games resulted in additional publicity worth about $1.2 billion for the university.
The Bulldogs' success has translated into a dedicated fan base, with online communities like Butler Hoops and /r/ButlerUniversity facilitating discussions among fans. The team's philosophy, known as "The Butler Way", has also garnered attention, emphasising complete commitment and teamwork. While other athletics at Butler University enjoy followings, basketball has uniquely captured the interest of a national audience, with its success serving as a key factor in growing the university's reputation and fan base.
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Notable players and their careers
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team has enjoyed a rich history of success, with a philosophy centred on commitment and teamwork, rising to national prominence in the late 1990s. The Bulldogs have appeared in 16 NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 24-16, and have qualified for the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament 12 times, with a record of 19-12.
Some notable players who have contributed to this success include Gordon Hayward, who was a key part of the team's 2010 National Championship run. Hayward was named Horizon League Player of the Year during his sophomore season and was drafted 9th overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2010 NBA draft, becoming the first Butler player in the NBA since the 1950s.
Matt Howard is another standout, known for his gritty playstyle and versatility as a forward. Howard earned First Team All-Horizon League honours three years in a row, from 2008 to 2011. Shelvin Mack also played a pivotal role in Butler's back-to-back National Championship appearances, earning Second Team All-Horizon selection in 2011 before being drafted by the Washington Wizards in the 2011 NBA draft.
Other notable mentions include Sean McDermott, who signed as a free agent with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2020, and Kelan Martin, who played for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers in the 2020-2021 season. The Bulldogs' success has brought national attention to the university, with their 2010 and 2011 NCAA tournament appearances estimated to have generated approximately $1.2 billion in publicity value.
The women's basketball program also has its own share of achievements, qualifying for the NCAA Division I tournament for the first time in 1996 and enjoying four consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Beth Couture from 2008 to 2011.
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The Bulldogs' performance in tournaments
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team has a rich history of success, with a strong fan base and a national following. The team has appeared in 16 NCAA Tournaments, with a combined record of 24-16. They have also competed in 10 National Invitation Tournaments and one College Basketball Invitational.
The Bulldogs first joined a Division I conference in 1932 when the men's basketball team joined the Missouri Valley Conference. They have since competed in other regional conferences, including the Horizon League, the Atlantic 10, and currently, the Big East Conference.
In recent years, the Bulldogs have continued to excel, appearing in the NCAA tournament 12 times and boasting a record of 19-12. They reached the Championship game in 2010 for the first time in school history and finished as National runners-up to Duke. This success brought significant publicity to the university, estimated to be worth about $1.2 billion in media coverage.
The women's basketball program at Butler University began in the 1975-76 season and saw its first winning season two years later. The women's team joined Division I competition for the 1986-87 season and qualified for Division I post-season play for the first time in 1993, competing in the WNIT. They competed in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament for the first time in 1996, with their last post-season appearance in the 1990s being in the WNIT in 1998. After a hiatus, the team returned to the post-season in 2009 and 2010, achieving four consecutive 20-win seasons under head coach Beth Couture.
The Bulldogs have a strong record in tournament play, with a history of appearances and successes that have brought both recognition and value to Butler University.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Butler University's basketball team, the Butler Bulldogs, plays in Division 1 basketball.
The Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team first joined a Division 1 conference in 1932, when they joined the Missouri Valley Conference. The women's basketball team joined Division 1 in the 1986-87 season.
The Butler Bulldogs currently compete in the Big East Conference. They previously competed in the Horizon League, the Atlantic 10 Conference, and the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Butler Bulldogs have had a lot of success in Division 1 basketball. They have appeared in 16 NCAA Tournaments and have a combined record of 24-16. They have also appeared in one College Basketball Invitational and their record is 2-1. In 2010, the Bulldogs made it to the National Championship game for the first time but lost to Duke.











































