Why Butler basketball loss to Pitt showed it ‘took a step,’ leaves Ronald Nored encouraged

INDIANAPOLIS — Butler basketball never lost a game when Butler Blue made its debut. The mascot’s boast no longer holds ground.

Pittsburgh defeated Butler 76-64 on Friday and the Dawgs are now 3-1 when a new English bulldog graces the floor at Hinkle Fieldhouse for the first time. Butler seemed set to keep Blue’s and its regular-season home record perfect after a stellar start against the Panthers.

Advertisement

The Dawgs had a stellar first half, shooting 50% in the first frame for the third time this season. They started the game on a 9-2 run, grabbed two offensive rebounds on the first possession and held the Pitt to 20% from the field in the opening five minutes. Butler led 33-30 with 3:39 left in the first quarter and went on a 7-0 run over the next 1:45. Butler’s seven first-half steals prevented Pitt from finding a groove on offense. It closed the half with a 42-34 lead.

“We wanted to reestablish a defensive presence. That was a big part of our bounce back from the Boise State game. I was really proud of how we came out defensively, how we fought and how we set a tone,” Butler coach Ronald Nored said. “The other part we were focused on was reestablishing some habits on both ends of the floor, and unfortunately, there in the second half, just our offense wasn’t crisp.”

Exclusive: Butler’s new, tiny, chill mascot Blue V gives IndyStar one-on-one interview

1 / 45

Meet Butlers newest mascot, Blue V

Butler University’s April Kirts picks up her new puppy, Blue V, the school’s newest mascot on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Butler University in Indianapolis. Kirts is a 2026 B.U. graduate.

(Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)

1 / 45

Meet Butlers newest mascot, Blue V

Butler University’s April Kirts picks up her new puppy, Blue V, the school’s newest mascot on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026, at Butler University in Indianapolis. Kirts is a 2026 B.U. graduate.

(Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar)

2 / 45

Meet Butlers newest mascot, Blue V

Butler University’s April Kirts holds her new puppy, Blue V,…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-butler-basketball-loss-pitt-091534459.html

Author :

Publish date : 2026-11-14 09:15:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.