The visiting Bulldogs hope to send their backers to the pay window on Saturday as they look to cover the spread at Athletics-Recreation Center against the Valparaiso Crusaders.

This game is part of the Horizon Tournament which will decide the conference champion and help decide March Madness seedings.

The Crusaders are 21-10 so far on the season, and 13-14-1 ATS vs. the number. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, are 20-13 and 11-17-2 ATS. OVER/UNDER bettors have seen Valparaiso go 12-16 and the Bulldogs go 16-14 on the totals.



View Butler vs Valparaiso Odds and Stats.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Crusaders - Bulldogs odds would favor the Bulldogs if the lines were set according to our power ranks. Valparaiso is rated No. 134 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Butler is at No. 76. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 69-68 win for the Crusaders.



How They Match Up:
Offensively, the game matches up Valparaiso's No. 134 nationally ranked offense (69.6 points per game) against a Bulldogs defense that sits as the No. 28 at 60.6 PPG. The Crusaders have been averaging 47.2% from the field, more than the Bulldogs have managed so far this season (41.3% on average).

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Butler owns the country's No. 40-rated mark, allowing 63.7 points per game on the highway. Valparaiso, on the other hand, rates No. 91 in scoring at home.

Butler was a 71-49 Sportsbook in its last match on the road against Wisc-Milwaukee. They covered the 2.5-point spread as favorites. Butler cruised to victory on Friday, running Wisc-Milwaukee out of the gym and running up a 71-49 score at Athletics-Recreation Center.

Valparaiso was a 71-59 Sportsbook in its last match at home against Butler. They covered the 1.5-point spread as underdogs. Kevin Van Wijk scored 18 points leading the Crusaders to a 71-59 victory over Butler at Athletics-Recreation Center on Friday.