Butler To Face Notre Dame In NIT Season Tip-Off

May 11, 2006

Indianapolis, Ind. - Butler will renew a long-time rivalry when it faces Notre Dame in the opening round of the 2006-07 NIT Season Tip-Off on Nov. 13, 2006. The Bulldogs and Irish will meet for the 102nd time overall and for the first time since 1995 when they square off as part of a first round doubleheader at Conseco Fieldhouse.

The NIT Season Tip-Off is returning to elements of its original format after 22 years. The tournament is moving to a doubleheader "common site" format with four first round regions. The East Region will be played in Charlotte, N.C., the South will be in Nashville, Tenn., the Midwest is in Indianapolis and the West will be in Spokane, Wash. Each participating team is guaranteed at least two games.

North Carolina, the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball Champion, headlines the 16-team tournament field which includes, Baylor, Belmont, Butler, Colorado State, Fordham, Gonzaga, Indiana, Iona, Lafayette, North Carolina-Wilmington, Notre Dame, Rice, Sacred Heart, Tennessee and Winthrop.

Joining Butler and Notre Dame in the Midwest Region will be Indiana and Lafayette. The Midwest Region championship and consolation games will be played on Nov. 14. Winners from each of the four regions will compete in New York's Madison Square Garden in the NIT Season Tip-Off semifinal and championship doubleheaders, Nov. 22 and 24.

Butler's last game against Notre Dame was on Feb. 15, 1995, and the Bulldogs captured a 76-60 decision at Hinkle Fieldhouse behind the 17-point performance of guard Travis Trice. The Bulldogs had five consecutive victories over Notre Dame before the series was ended following the 1995 meeting.

Story provided by Butler University Office of Sports Information