BUTLER Game thread

[muskieman]

When: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2026 AT 1:30 P.M. ET

Where: HINKLE FIELDHOUSE IN INDIANAPOLIS, IND. THE BARN

TV/Stream: TNT, TruTV, and HBO Max with play-by-play from JB Long and analysis from Robbie Hummel, and Jared Greenberg sideline reporting
Xavier Radio: 55KRC

Xavier opens up as 2.5-point underdogs on the road at Butler

[muskieman]

Xavier looks like they left the defense back in Cincy. Boro is not looking at the clock, and X has turned over, and his shooting is still cold. 4 turnovers in 10 minutes.

[Kevin Reilly]

Filip is doing way to much hesitation moves. Maddening. Poor start by us. Ajayi is having his way. Need a lot more movement on offense and playing better defense would help. Got to get Carroll going

[muskieman]

Filip is doing way to much hesitation moves. Maddening. Poor start by us. Ajayi is having his way. Need a lot more movement on offense and playing better defense would help. Got to get Carroll going

And as you say, Tre hits a three. Keep talking

Shame the D doesn't seem to be able to stop BU.

[muskieman]

well that is the tale of the game so far. Lose the ball, and they get a dunk. With a slp on the backboard which is supposed to be a T but refs silent on Butler fouls They have 8 points from the bench X has 2

[Kevin Reilly]

Butler is getting all the long rebounds. Moore thinks going after long rebounds is optional. He already has let two long rebounds he should have got get taken by Butler guards. Besides Carroll Xavier has shown very little.

[muskieman]

can't hit the ocean from the beach, step slow on defense and X is getting blown out only scoring 22 in the first 16 minutes

[ChitownSteve]

Well, X continues to lack shot clock awareness, their best player thinks he can dribble up court, no overall of grit (e.g.rarely see anyone dive on the floor for a loose ball or tie up an opponent), misses close in shots and fails to provide weak side defensive help.

Oh, and do the players listen and execute after time outs?

[connecticut72]

This team is no fun to watch. Nobody bangs. Forget any defense. Just run and shoot. I like Pitino but he has a lot of work to do. Other than Carroll these players are all big east roll players at best.

[ChitownSteve]

Hmmm … should we interpret Coach Matta’s response about Ajayi’s 1st Half success of “Carroll does not want to foul “ to Carroll is not playing defense?

Carroll is a scorer, often no longer playing as a team member and too worried about leading the Big East in scoring. Team chemistry appears to have dissipated the longer the season has gone on.