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The Butler Bulldogs' once-promising season has taken a dramatic downturn, leaving fans frustrated and head coach Thad Matta under intense scrutiny. To make matters worse, the absence of Caitlin Clark-dubbed the team's "lucky charm"-has fans speculating about her impact on the Bulldogs' fortunes.
With a crushing five-game losing streak and growing discontent among the fan base, the situation seems to be unraveling fast.
A Collapse Against Villanova
On Wednesday night, the Bulldogs faced Villanova in a high-stakes matchup they were desperate to win. Things looked hopeful as Butler built a commanding 13-point lead with six minutes left. But the Wildcats mounted an incredible comeback, scoring 22 points while Butler managed just one. Villanova clinched a 73-65 victory, leaving fans stunned.
Villanova's Eric Dixon led the charge with 28 points, while Wooga Poplar added 18 points and 15 rebounds. Butler's Jahmyl Telfort delivered an impressive performance with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists, but his effort wasn't enough to save the Bulldogs. A disastrous 1-for-11 shooting stretch in the final minutes sealed their fate.
The Caitlin Clark Effect?
Connor McCaffery, an assistant coach for Butler and Caitlin Clark's boyfriend, has found himself caught in the storm. Fans have connected the team's struggles to Clark's absence from courtside.
Since her missed appearance at a game against Houston on December 7-coinciding with the start of the Bulldogs' skid-the team has yet to recover. Many ers see her as a good-luck charm and have wondered aloud whether her presence could help turn the tide.
However, the criticism doesn't stop at Clark's absence. Fans are increasingly questioning Matta's coaching decisions, with one commenter calling his handling of the game's pivotal moments "coaching 101 failures."
Another blasted the coaching staff, saying, "If Thad has a job tomorrow, I hope you can't give season tickets away for free."
Bigger Problems on the Horizon
The criticism extends beyond Matta to the program's broader issues. Fans have questioned lineup choices, like the continued starts for Finley Bizjack despite inconsistent performances. Others are demanding a complete overhaul, with one commenter suggesting, "Hang it up for the year. Investigate the program."
The Bulldogs now face a crossroads: fight to salvage the season or begin preparing for a rebuild. McCaffery, Matta, and the entire coaching staff are under fire as fans push for ability.
What's Next for Butler?
The frustration among Bulldogs ers is palpable. With a once-secure victory slipping away and glaring coaching errors, the calls for change are growing louder. Whether the team can regroup or if the program decides it's time for a fresh start remains to be seen.
For now, all eyes are on the Bulldogs to see if they can turn things around-or if 2025 will mark the start of a new era for the struggling program.