The Seton Hall Pirates (17-8, 7-7 Big East) travel to Indianapolis on Sunday, February 15th, to face the Butler Bulldogs (13-12, 4-10 Big East) at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. Eastern Time and will be televised on FS1, with Kevin Lee and Dickey Simpkins calling the game.
Seton Hall enters the contest having secured a decisive 87-80 victory over Providence on Wednesday, completing a season sweep of the Friars – a feat they hadn’t achieved since the 2017-18 season. That win followed a narrow 69-64 victory over Marquette on January 31st, overcoming a halftime deficit for the second consecutive game.
A key contributor to the Pirates’ recent success has been guard Budd Clark, who delivered a standout performance against Providence with 31 points, eight assists, and five steals. This stat line is the best by a BIG EAST player in a regulation game since at least the 1996-97 season, and the first to achieve such numbers in any game since Jonny Flynn’s legendary six-overtime performance for UConn in 2009. Clark is currently averaging 22.4 points, 5.0 assists, and 2.4 steals over his last five games, shooting 56 percent from the field.
Off the bench, Tajuan Simpkins continues to build a strong case for BIG EAST Sixth Man of the Year honors. He scored 13 points against Providence and leads all qualified reserves in the conference with 10.8 points per game. Simpkins has proven particularly effective in Seton Hall victories, averaging 12.5 points while shooting 50 percent from the field in the Pirates’ 17 wins.
The Pirates boast a strong defensive record, ranking 17th nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 65.4 points per game. They have held 19 of their 25 opponents to under 70 points, posting a 14-5 record in those contests. Freshman Najai Hines is a significant factor in their defensive success, ranking 22nd nationally and first among freshmen in blocks per game with an average of 2.1.
Butler, meanwhile, is looking to snap a five-game losing streak. The Bulldogs are 4-10 in Big East play and will be seeking to improve their home record at Hinkle Fieldhouse, where Seton Hall holds a 6-2 record since the 2019-20 season, including wins in both the semifinals and championship game of the 2024 NIT. The all-time series between the two programs favors Seton Hall, 14-13, though Butler won the most recent matchup on January 17, 2026, 77-66 in South Orange.
The game will also be available via online stream on the FOX Sports App and can be heard on the radio through the SHU Pirates Mobile App, as well as on SHUPirates.com and the Varsity Network App, with coverage provided by Dave Popkin and Matt Ambrose.
