Bucknell vs. Butler: Game time, TV schedule, live stream, and preview

Fresh off a Gavitt Games victory over the Northwestern Wildcats, the Butler Bulldogs take the court looking for their third 3-0 start in as many seasons under Chris Holtmann.

The Bulldogs welcome the Bucknell Bison, a school you’ve heard of because they beat Kansas in the NCAA Tournament once, to Hinkle Fieldhouse as part of the Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational. This game and Butler’s Monday game against Norfolk State will be played at Hinkle before the Bulldogs head to Vegas to face Vanderbilt and either Arizona or Santa Clara.

How to watch, listen, or stream

Game Time: 1 p.m. ET

TV: FOX Sports Network (Jeff Levering, Jordan Cornette)

Radio: Bulldog Radio Network

Streaming: FOX Sports Go (Where available)

All-Time Series

Butler is 1-0 all-time against Bucknell. The victory came in the 2013 NCAA Tournament.

Three-Point Preview

Kelan Them Softly With His Shot

Through two games, the Big East’s leading returning scorer has looked like he’s going for the conference’s scoring title this season. Martin followed up a 21-point outing in the season opener against Northern Colorado with a 22-point performance against Northwestern Wednesday night. Martin is also a perfect 14-14 from the free throw line on the year.

Martin is just 5-18 (27%) from long range so far this season. Once he gets his shot going from out there and gets closer to his 37% mark from last season, he’ll become even more dangerous.

Bucknell Players to Watch

Bucknell’s roster isn’t exactly overloaded with talent, but junior forwards Nana Foulland and Zach Thomas are two players the Bulldogs will have to watch. Foulland averaged 11.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game last season while Thomas averaged 10.3 and 5.7.

So far this season, Thomas has had the scoring edge at 19.3 PPG to Foulland’s 13.7 while Foulland has had an 8.0 to 7.3 edge in the glass. Of course, context is important. Bucknell played Robert Morris on Wednesday night and both Foulland and Thomas recorded double-doubles. It will be interesting to see how these two go up against Kelan Martin and Andrew Chrabascz.

Avoid the Trap

An early afternoon game against an overmatched mid-major team who the Bulldogs should clearly beat? It sounds like it should be nice and easy for Butler, and it can be. The Bulldogs just have to play their usual style of smart basketball and not get sloppy and take the lesser Bison for granted.

The Bulldogs don’t fall for the trap too often, though, having won 30 straight nonconference games at Hinkle Fieldhouse.