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Butler goes for season sweep of Valparaiso

Feb 5, 2008 - 3:43 PM No. 11 Butler (19-2) at Valparaiso (14-7) 9:00 pm EST

VALPARAISO, Indiana (Ticker) - No. 11 Butler opens up a three-game road trip when they visit Valparaiso on Tuesday.

The Bulldogs (19-2, 8-2 Horizon), who have won three straight contests, will also be looking to complete a series sweep of Valparaiso. Butler defeated the Crusaders in the first meeting, 73-65, on January 5.

Matt Howard had 20 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 73-57 victory over Illinois-Chicago on January 26. Leading scorer Mike Green had 15 points and seven rebounds in Butler's and 24 and eight in the first meeting against the Crusaders.

Butler will face Wisconsin-Green Bay and Wisconsin-Milwaukee before returning home to take on Youngstown State on February 14.

Valparaiso (14-7, 5-4) is just 4-6 in its last 10 games and is coming off a 65-63 loss against Loyola-Chicago on January 26. Brandon McPherson had 13 points to pace the Crusaders.

Valparaiso has five players who average at least 9.7 points per game led by Jarryd Lloyd's 11.6 per contest. The senior guard had 15 in the Crusaders' first meeting with Butler.