Fairleigh Dickinson Knights vs Butler Bulldogs Prediction, Odds, Best Bets - Week 1

Butler opened with a 96-60 win built on passing and depth, and Fairleigh Dickinson arrives at Hinkle Fieldhouse two days after a 120-45 loss at Illinois.

The Matchup

Fairleigh Dickinson visits Butler on Wednesday night at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Bulldogs are a 23.5-point favorite with a total of 150.5, on ESPN+. Both teams opened on Monday night. Butler's opener was a showcase. Fairleigh Dickinson's was a warning.

Butler finished 16-16 last season, scoring 79.4 points a game and allowing 77.5, and Monday's 96-60 win over Lafayette looked like a better version of that team. Jalen Jackson scored 18 points with 5 assists, Asim Djulovic scored 19 with 4 three-pointers, and Eduardo Klafke filled the box score with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 8 assists. Jordan Ellerbee added 16 points off the bench. The Bulldogs shared the ball, shot it well, and never let Lafayette breathe.

Fairleigh Dickinson finished 11-21 last season, scoring 67.2 a game and allowing 70.2, and its opener at Illinois was brutal. The Knights lost 120-45. David Jevtic led them with 13 points and 6 rebounds, and nobody else scored more than 8. One game against a ranked opponent on the road is not a season, but a loss that lopsided tells you how thin the margin for error is when a roster this young meets size and depth.

Key Factors

Butler's passing is the first problem for Fairleigh Dickinson. Klafke and Jackson combined for 13 assists against Lafayette, and the Bulldogs' offense moves the ball until a good shot appears. The Knights allowed 120 points on Monday because they could not stay in front of anyone, and Butler attacks in waves off the bench, with Ellerbee's 16 points the proof that the second unit does not let up.

The building and the schedule are the second problem. Fairleigh Dickinson goes from Champaign to Indianapolis in the same week, two road games against high-major opponents, and Hinkle Fieldhouse is not where a tired team recovers its confidence. Butler stays home, its starters played controlled minutes on Monday, and its rotation already looks settled enough to press its advantage for a full game.

The counterpoint is the size of the number itself. Laying 23.5 points asks Butler to keep its foot down for a full game, and big favorites with a game in hand often drift late, when the bench is in and the intensity drops. Jackson also turned the ball over 6 times against Lafayette. If Fairleigh Dickinson slows the game and Butler coasts, the favorite can win comfortably and still not cover.

Every pick is published with its line before the game. Odds via consensus sportsbooks at time of writing and move constantly. Must be 21+. If gambling is a problem, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.