The Crossroads Classic continues this weekend and will feature the four best college teams in Indiana squaring off. No team in the five-year run of the event has been more successful than Butler, as the Bulldogs are 4-1 SU in the showcase. Butler will look to continue their interstate supremacy when they take on the Indiana Hoosiers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Saturday.
- Indiana has won 5 consecutive games with an average scoring margin of plus-27.
- Butler is 14-4 ATS in their past 18 games dating back to last season.
- Indiana has won their past 2 games in the Crossroads Classic, including a victory over Butler in 2014.
The Bulldogs play a defense-first style of game that has them allowing just 62.0 ppg on the year. Following their loss to Indiana State, coach Chris Holtmann mixed up Butler’s starting lineup by inserting Kamar Baldwin and Sean McDermott to the starting five over Kelan Martin and Avery Woodson. Ultimately, the change up worked, but did little to diminish Martin’s playing time as the junior played 31 minutes and scored 20 points.
Indiana is all about scoring points, as their 87.6 points per game average ranks 14th in the nation. The Hoosiers’ offense should be bolstered for this affair, as OG Anunoby will be back in the lineup after missing the past three games with an ankle injury. Coach Tom Crean has not said if Anunoby will be in the starting lineup, but his size will likely be needed against the big frontcourt of Butler.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
If you were backing the Indiana Hoosiers in this one, their betting line was listed as -4.5-point favorites earlier in the day at Sportsbook.
Indiana Hoosiers vs Butler Bulldogs Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
This college basketball season, the Butler Bulldogs are 9-1 overall and 7-3 ATS, while the Indiana Hoosiers are 8-1 and 4-3 ATS. As for the betting totals, Butler boasts a 3-6-1 on the OU, and Indiana is 3-4.
The Power Rankings at Odds Shark show No. 4-rated Indiana Hoosiers taking on the No. 20-rated Butler Bulldogs in this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Rebounding is always a key handicapping betting consideration and Indiana is ranked No. 2 in NCAA basketball at 48.4 per game. Contrast that with Butler's No. 253 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, Butler is the No. 71-ranked team in the country at 8.6 per game, while Indiana rates No. 35 at 9.44 per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Hoosiers blew out Houston Baptist on Saturday, running up a 20+ point victory in a 103-61 win at Branch McCracken Court at Assembly Hall.
The Bulldogs got 20 points from Kelan Martin as Butler ran past Cincinnati 75-65 on Saturday at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
- Indiana is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Butler
- Indiana is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Butler
- Butler is 14-4 ATS in its last 18 games
- Butler is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games
- Butler is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
- Butler is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Indiana
Next Betting Matchups
Indiana home to Delaware State, Monday, December 19th
Butler at Vermont, Wednesday, December 21st
