Chicago, IL (My Sportsbook) - The 17th-ranked Butler Bulldogs are 5-0 in Horizon League play for the first time since 2002-03, and they will take on the Loyola-Chicago Ramblers in the Windy City this evening.

Butler has tied the best 15-game record in school history, as the team is a stellar 14-1 overall. The Bulldogs have won 16 consecutive HL regular season games dating back to last season, and they are coming off a 54-50 decision versus Detroit on Saturday. The lone loss thus far came against Ohio State on the road by three points, and the team has won six games in a row since that setback.

As for Loyola-Chicago, it has won two of its last three games to move to 10-7 overall and 2-3 in Horizon action. On Saturday, the Ramblers knocked off Youngstown State on the road by a 68-57 final, and they carry a 6-2 home record into this evening's clash.

Butler owns a 45-29 series lead over Loyola, including three straight wins over the Ramblers.

Butler is scoring 68.0 ppg this season, but it is the team's defensive play, not its offensive prowess, that has been the key to the 14-1 start. The Bulldogs are only allowing 56.1 ppg, as they are limiting opponents to 38.7 percent shooting from the field. Matt Howard is the leading scorer for Butler, as he provides 14.1 ppg on 50 percent shooting from the floor. Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack are both contributing 12.3 ppg for the Bulldogs, who got 15 points from Howard on Saturday in the win over Detroit. In that game, Butler forced 16 turnovers and held the Titans to 39.1 percent shooting from the field, including an 0-of-9 showing from three-point range. A 20-14 edge in points from the foul line was another reason that the Bulldogs were able to overcome a 29-20 rebounding disadvantage.

Loyola-Chicago is generating 64.6 ppg through 17 outings, slightly less than the 65.6 ppg that the team is giving up. Surprisingly, the club is averaging the exact same number of rebounds (34.4 rpg) as its foes, and while the Ramblers are a solid 10-7 overall, they need a win tonight to move to .500 in conference action. J.R. Blount is scoring 15.5 ppg to pace Loyola, and he is dishing out 3.9 apg as well. Justin Cerasoli provides 10.8 ppg, and Leon Young adds 10.5 ppg and 6.5 rpg. In the victory over Youngstown State last Saturday, Aric Van Weelden scored 12 points, while Cerasoli and Marcus Thomas added 11 points apiece. The Ramblers drained 10-of-15 three-point attempts, key to the victory. Defensively, they limited the Penguins to 39.6 percent shooting, including 0-of-14 from three-point range.