ROSEMONT, ILL. – A slight adjustment saved the Butler Bulldogs from starting Big East play with three consecutive losses.
Coach Chris Holtmann, after watching his team give up too many points inside to DePaul, changed his gameplan midway through the second half and raised two fingers. The signal told Holtmann’s players to play a matchup zone, a strategy the Bulldogs have rarely used this season.
The Bulldogs’ zone defense was active enough and prevented the Blue Demons from reaching the basket in Butler's much-needed 77-72 victory Tuesday in front of a sparse crowd at the Allstate Arena, which featured a large number of Butler fans.