(Photo credit: Doug McSchooler / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Thad Matta might be eager to start Butler's season, but he also understands the program needs to see more success during his second stint as coach.

The Bulldogs aim for a strong start when they host Southern Indiana on Wednesday night in Indianapolis.

In the first three seasons of Matta's second go-around as Butler coach, the Bulldogs posted just one winning campaign. Butler enters this season predicted to finish 10th in the 11-team Big East in the coaches' preseason poll.

While Finley Bizjack (10.3 points per game) is the most seasoned returner from last season's squad, the Bulldogs feature five freshmen and five transfers. Guard Jalen Jackson arrives after averaging 19.2 points for Purdue Fort Wayne in 2024-25.

Matta, like any other coach entering the season, can't wait to get going. However, he also knows the challenges that await, especially after the Bulldogs finished last in the Big East in scoring defense last campaign, allowing an average of 74.9 points.

'I'm excited about this season,' Matta told The Butler Collegian. 'Now, (we have to) continue to bring these guys along and build the cohesiveness. ... See what we can make happen.'

Butler is facing Southern Indiana for the first time since 1984. The Screaming Eagles are in their fourth season as a Division I competitor and finally are eligible for the NCAA Tournament.

However, Southern Indiana is coming off a 10-20 season, and with 12 new players in the mix, the Screaming Eagles came in ninth in the Ohio Valley Conference preseason poll.

'I think our guys are athletic,' Southern Indiana coach Stan Gouard said. 'We're fast, shoot it better. Just got to keep working to get to a certain point with our team. ... We're making strides in the right direction.'

At least early on, Gouard will rely on Trey Thomas, who averaged 16.2 points last season at Bethune-Cookman.

This is the second consecutive season in which the Screaming Eagles will open against a Big East opponent, and they nearly pulled off an upset a year ago. Southern Indiana lost 80-78 in overtime at DePaul last November.

--Field Level Media