Get ready for a thrilling showdown as Notre Dame and Butler clash in a highly anticipated exhibition game this Friday night, marking the beginning of what promises to be an electrifying basketball season. But here’s where it gets intriguing: both teams are entering pivotal moments in their programs, with Notre Dame in the critical third year of the Micah Shrewsberry era and Butler aiming to rebuild under Thad Matta’s leadership. Will this be the year they both break through?**
At 7 p.m. on Friday, Notre Dame’s basketball team will take the court against the Butler Bulldogs in their first of two exhibition games. The second matchup is scheduled for a week later in South Bend, where they’ll face another Big East rival, DePaul. For Notre Dame, the excitement is palpable. Junior guard Markus Burton, a Mishawaka native, is poised for what could be a career-defining season. His resume is already impressive: surpassing 1,000 career points and averaging over 17 points per game in his first two seasons. Burton’s recent selection to the 2025-26 Preseason All-ACC First Team only adds to the buzz surrounding him. And this is the part most people miss: while Burton’s achievements are undeniable, the real question is how he’ll elevate his game to lead the Irish to postseason success.
Burton isn’t alone in the backcourt. His junior counterpart, Braeden Shrewsberry, has consistently delivered double-digit scoring in his first two seasons. Together, they form a seasoned duo that’s now joined by one of Notre Dame’s highest-ranked recruits ever: five-star Jalen Haralson. Ranked 19th in the class of 2025 by ESPN, Haralson headlines a loaded freshman class that also includes four-star recruits Brady Koehler, Ryder Frost, and Tommy Ahneman. This group has propelled Notre Dame’s recruiting class to ESPN’s ninth-ranked spot nationally.
The Irish’s roster depth doesn’t stop there. Northern Arizona transfer Carson Towt, a fifth-year senior, brings much-needed front-court physicality after leading the nation in rebounding (12.4 per game) last season. He’ll team up with 6-foot-10 senior forward Kebba Njie, who followed Coach Shrewsberry from Penn State to South Bend. Sophomores Sir Mohammed, Garrett Sundra, and Cole Certa are also expected to make a bigger impact after gaining valuable experience as freshmen. But here’s the controversial part: with so much talent, who will crack the starting lineup, and can they gel quickly enough to make a statement on Friday night? Despite the optimism, there are lingering questions that only time will answer.
For Butler, this is year four of the second Thad Matta era, and the stakes are high. The Bulldogs are eager to build on their College Basketball Crown appearance from last April, though Matta’s first three seasons in Indianapolis haven’t included an NCAA Tournament berth. Fans are hopeful, as it’s been nearly eight years since Butler last played in the NCAA Tournament. And this is where opinions divide: can Matta finally deliver a winning season, or will the Bulldogs fall short again?**
Butler’s roster has been overhauled with ESPN’s 25th-ranked recruiting class and five key transfers. The 2025 class features four-star recruits Jack McCaffery, son of Iowa’s longtime coach Fran McCaffery, and Indianapolis standout Azavier “Stink” Robinson. Leading the transfer class is Gonzaga’s Michael Ajayi, alongside journeyman Yohan Traore, who’s now on his fourth team in as many years, most recently from SMU. Other transfers include Drayton Jones (South Carolina State), Jalen Jackson (Purdue Fort Wayne), and Yame Butler (Drexel).
Returning players like 6-foot-4 junior Finley Bizjack, who averaged 10.3 points per game last season, and 6-foot-6 sophomore Jamie Kaiser Jr., who redshirted last year due to injury after a standout freshman season at Maryland, will play crucial roles. With the Big East field wide open this year, Butler has a real chance to surprise. But here’s the question: can this mix of newcomers and veterans come together fast enough to make a run?
While the exhibition game won’t be streamed or broadcast, WSBT radio will provide live coverage with Conor Clingen on air. Tickets are available online for those who want to witness this early-season showdown in person. As both teams step onto the court, one thing is clear: this game is more than just a warm-up—it’s a preview of what could be a defining season for both programs. What do you think? Can Notre Dame or Butler make a serious run this year, or will they fall short of expectations? Let us know in the comments!
