Butler closes its exhibition schedule Sunday at Ohio State, with former coach Thad Matta set to receive a halftime tribute after retiring with 502 career wins. The Bulldogs are coming off an 81-74 win over Indiana State, but leading scorer Jalen Jackson is questionable after leaving with a left leg injury. The game is Butler’s final tune-up before the regular season begins Nov. 2.

By the Numbers
  • Ohio State leads the all-time series, 31-11; Butler has won the last 2 meetings.
  • Matta retired after 2025-26 with 502 career victories, including 5 seasons at Butler and 13 at Ohio State.
  • Jackson scored 19 points and had 7 assists against Indiana State; he has led Butler in scoring in both exhibitions.
  • Butler has 10 newcomers and returns 5 players from last season’s roster.
Yes, But

Butler’s recent exhibition win offers a more encouraging read than its 96-68 loss to Indiana in the opener. Still, Jackson’s availability is uncertain, and Samu Adler—recently cleared for full practice—also is questionable after missing the first two exhibitions.

State of Play
  • Sunday’s exhibition tips at 2 p.m. ET at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.
  • Butler assistant Jon Diebler played for Matta at Ohio State; his brother, Jake Diebler, now coaches the Buckeyes.
  • Butler opens the regular season at home against Lafayette on Nov. 2.
What's Next

After Sunday’s final exhibition, Butler begins a demanding opening stretch: Lafayette and FDU at home, followed by a road game at Boise State.

Bottom Line

Sunday is both a final preseason test and a milestone moment for Matta, but Butler’s immediate priority is getting healthy before the games start counting.