When Butler Bulldogs pulled a win over Seton Hall in a crushing 84-54 victory, it seemed everything Thad Matta wanted was falling into place. Despite having an almost laughable 0.8% chance to make it to the March madness, the Bulldogs’ 33-point lead, their second largest of the season, had people thinking that maybe they can prove experts wrong. Fast forward to now, with March Madness around the corner, the Bulldogs aren’t really the team Thad Matta has envisioned.
Ever since their 84-72 win over DePaul on February 23rd, Butler has spiraled into a three-game losing streak. Instead of building momentum for a last-minute push toward March Madness, they’ve collapsed under the weight of inconsistency. Sitting eighth in the Big East with a 13-17 overall record, the Bulldogs have piled up more losses than wins.
And let’s be real—this isn’t just a bad stretch. It’s a full-blown disaster. According to Team Rankings, Butler has just a 0.9% chance to make the NCAA Tournament. Their championship odds? 0%. That’s not just disappointing—it’s unacceptable for a program that once showed so much promise under Matta’s return.
Three years ago, Matta came back to Butler after stepping away from coaching for several seasons. His arrival sparked hope, and in his first two years, the Bulldogs showed flashes of progress. But that momentum has completely evaporated. Last season, Butler regressed to a 9-13 overall record and a brutal 2-9 mark in Big East play. This year? Somehow, it’s gotten even worse.
So now, Matta has a choice to make. Walk away? Or double down and fight to again restore the program? The answer is clear—he’s not going anywhere. “We are committed to Coach Matta, and that commitment is mutual,” Butler athletic director Barry Collier told IndyStar, shutting down speculation that Matta might retire after next season. And now it is confirmed that he is set to return next season.
Butler coach Thad Matta told @TheFieldOf68 that he will be back next season. Matta will have improved resources as he enters year 4 with the Bulldogs.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) March 7, 2025
Honestly, Connor McCaffrey must be so relieved. Of course, because you want to prove doubters wrong alongside someone like Matta, who also believes in you more than anyone else. “Following a high-level playing career, Connor has had the opportunity to both contribute and learn alongside one of the best staffs in the NBA,” the head coach had said of McCaffrey earlier.
Also, Connor has no reason to doubt the coach either. Matta’s coaching résumé speaks for itself—he’s 69-58 in his three seasons at Butler and 484-204 overall between Butler, Xavier, and Ohio State. His first stint at Butler in 2000-01 saw the team go 24-8. If anyone can bring the Bulldogs back to success, it’s him. But what about their so-called “lucky charm”?
Caitlin Clark’s courtside support: lucky charm or mere coincidence?
WNBA All-Star and reigning Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark has been one of Butler’s biggest supporters, often seen courtside cheering for her boyfriend, Connor, and his brother, Patrick. Her presence has even been linked to good luck—at least, that’s what fans liked to believe.
Back in November, Clark was there for a memorable night—Connor’s debut as an assistant coach for Butler. The Bulldogs delivered a hard-fought 72-65 victory over Missouri State, and Clark couldn’t hide her excitement. She was all smiles, celebrating not just the win but also the start of Connor’s coaching journey. Fans took notice, and soon, whispers of her being a “lucky charm” for the Bulldogs started circulating.
But as the season wore on, Butler ran into adversity. The Bulldogs faced tough matchups, and Clark’s presence, once seen as a good omen, wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Most recently, she was there for Butler’s showdown against Xavier—a game that ended in a frustrating 91-78 loss. This one, however, was about more than just the win. It was Patrick McCaffery’s senior night, a special milestone in his basketball career, and Clark was there to show her support.
Now, Butler has one more chance to make a statement—March 9th against Creighton. Can they pull off an upset to end the season on a high note? Or will it be another frustrating night for the Bulldogs?
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