The Cincinnati Bearcats and Butler Bulldogs will begin a home-and-home series next season. The first game will be played at Fifth Third Arena next year, followed by the second game at the legendary and unique Hinkle Fieldhouse during the 2016-17 season. The famed fieldhouse holds 10,000 fans and is a very fun place to watch a basketball game.
Mick Cronin has not yet coached against Butler. The Bearcats lead the all-time series, 10-6, including the past three games in 1997, 1993, and 1973.
Butler has grown into an annual contender and feared tournament opponent. These games will certainly boost UC’s strength of schedule while giving the team’s respective coaches the chance to evaluate their squad’s play against a quality opponent early in the year.
This news follows the current home-and-home series with VCU. I think it’s safe to say UC has stepped up and answered the questions that had been raised regarding the quality of out-of-conference opponents.
By Andy Smith