Get ready, college basketball fans! Notre Dame is gearing up to face the Butler Bulldogs this Friday night in a thrilling exhibition game, tipping off at 7 p.m. This marks the first of two exhibition matches for the Fighting Irish, with another showdown against Big East rival DePaul scheduled the following week.
Notre Dame's Outlook:
The upcoming season marks a pivotal third year for the Micah Shrewsberry era at Notre Dame, and optimism is soaring in South Bend. Leading the charge is junior guard Markus Burton, poised for a potentially career-defining year. His achievements in his first two seasons are undeniable; he's already surpassed 1,000 career points and averaged over 17 points per game. Adding to his accolades, Burton was recently named to the 2025-26 Preseason All-ACC First Team.
Burton will be joined in the backcourt by his junior teammate, Braeden Shrewsberry, who has consistently delivered double-digit scoring in his first two seasons. The dynamic duo will be complemented by a highly-touted recruit, five-star Jalen Haralson, ranked 19th in the class of 2025 by ESPN. This impressive class also includes four-star recruits Brady Koehler, Ryder Frost, and Tommy Ahneman, solidifying Notre Dame's position with ESPN's ninth-ranked recruiting class nationally.
Adding depth to the team, Northern Arizona transfer Carson Towt brings much-needed physicality to the frontcourt. As a fifth-year senior, Towt led the nation in rebounding last year, averaging an impressive 12.4 rebounds per game. He'll team up with 6'10" forward Kebba Njie, entering his senior season after following Coach Shrewsberry from Penn State. Sophomores Sir Mohammed, Garrett Sundra, and Cole Certa, who gained valuable experience as freshmen, are also expected to make significant contributions this season. The starting lineup is yet to be determined, making Friday night's game a crucial opportunity for players to showcase their skills. Despite the buzz surrounding the team, several questions remain, waiting to be answered as the season unfolds.
Butler's Perspective:
The Butler Bulldogs are entering their fourth year under Thad Matta's second tenure, a season of significant importance. They're aiming to build on their College Basketball Crown appearance last April. Despite not reaching the NCAA Tournament in the previous three seasons, Butler fans, who haven't seen their team in the NCAA Tournament for nearly eight years, remain hopeful.
The roster has undergone a complete overhaul, bolstered by ESPN's 25th-ranked recruiting class and five impactful transfers. The 2025 class features four-star recruits Jack McCaffery and Azavier “Stink” Robinson. Gonzaga transfer Michael Ajayi leads the transfer class, alongside Yohan Traore, who is on his fourth team in as many years, most recently from SMU. Other key transfers include Drayton Jones, Jalen Jackson, and Yame Butler.
These newcomers will join 6'4" junior Finley Bizjack, who averaged 10.3 points per game last year, and 6'6" sophomore Jamie Kaiser Jr., who made a splash with Maryland before transferring to Butler and redshirting last year due to an ankle injury. With the Big East potentially having fewer NCAA Tournament bids this year, the door is open for a surprise contender like the Bulldogs.
Game Details:
Unfortunately, the exhibition game won't be streamed or broadcast. However, fans can tune in to WSBT radio, with Conor Clingen providing live coverage. Tickets are available for purchase online.
But here's where it gets controversial... Could this be the year Butler finally breaks through? And this is the part most people miss... How will the new transfers integrate with the returning players?
What are your predictions for this matchup? Do you think Notre Dame's returning talent will give them an edge, or will Butler's revamped roster surprise everyone? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
