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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind.. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears will match up against one of the most experienced basketball teams in the country at 5:30 Friday when they take on the Butler Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

The Bulldogs, who beat two Top 10 teams during the 2020-21 season (No. 6/8 Villanova, No. 6/8 Creighton), return 10 of their top 11 scorers and return 97.2 percent of their scoring and 96.2 percent of their rebounding from a year ago. Butler head coach LaVall Jordan also added Ty Groce, a transfer from Eastern Michigan, who led the Eagles in scoring and rebounding last season.

The Bulldogs have five players who will be playing their fifth season of collegiate basketball this season, and two in their sixth season due to the additional season of eligibility due to covid-19.

UCA counters with a starting lineup that consists of a true freshman (Camren Hunter), a pair of sophomores (Collin Cooper, Jaxson Baker) a junior transfer in his first season in the program (Darious Hall) and a graduate (Jared Chatham) in his sixth season with the Bears.

The Bears are coming off a 96-61 loss at Saint Louis in the season opener on Tuesday night at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. The Bulldogs held off IUPUI 56-47 at home on Tuesday, despite shooting just 28 percent (7 of 25) from three-point range and 34.1 percent overall (15 of 44). Butler made up the difference by going 19 of 23 (82.6 percent) at the free-throw line, compared to just 8 of 15 for IUPUI.

UCA had two players in double figures against the Billikens, with Cooper going for 12 points and Hunter for 10. Both made two of UCA's seven three pointers. The Bears turned the ball over 22 times, which led to 27 points for SLU.

The Bears and Bulldogs will be meeting for just the second time. Butler won the initial meeting 82-58 back on December 2016. Butler made 11 three-pointers and got 30 points from Kelan Martin. UCA got 20 points (5 threes) from guard Jordan Howard and 15 points from Derreck Brooks. Butler went on that season to finish 25-9 and lose to North Caroline in the NCAA Sweet 16.

UCA continues its tough opening road trip at defending national champion Baylor next Wednesday in Waco, Texas. The Bears' first home game is set for Saturday, Nov. 20 vs. Oral Roberts, another Sweet 16 team from last spring.