Butler has given up more than 70 points in each of its past three games, something they did not do in any of their first 16 games this season. Now they will try to shut down a Marquette team that has the nation’s scoring leader, Markus Howard (28.4 ppg).

Howard has scored at least 26 points in each of the team’s past nine games, and Marquette has exceeded 70 points in eight of those nine games and 80 points in seven of them.

Despite Butler’s recent issues, the Bulldogs still rank 21st in the country in defensive efficiency and 346th out of 353 Division I teams in possessions per game. It will be a battle of tempos, and regardless of opponent, Howard and Marquette have been getting their offense going.

The play: Butler-Marquette, Over 136