PHILADELPHIA – After splitting a pair of Atlantic 10 games last week, the Blue and Gold will embark on one of its most challenging weeks of the season with #9/9 Butler and #19/16 VCU on the docket. Butler comes to Tom Gola Arena for the first time as a member of the A-10 on Wednesday evening.

With a national ranking of #9, the Bulldogs are the highest ranked team to play at Gola Arena. 

#9/9 Butler Bulldogs (16-2, 3-0 A-10) at La Salle Explorers (12-5, 2-2 A-10)
Wednesday, January 23, 2013 | 7 PM | Tom Gola Arena
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Game Notes
La Salle | Butler

Last Time Out
La Salle was dropped by Xavier, 70-63 at the Cintas Center on Saturday afternoon. The Explorers led 20-9 in the first half before the Musketeers ripped off a 26-7 run entering the intermission. The Explorers outscored the home team 36-35 in the second half, but their first half swoon proved too costly.

Tyrone Garland scored a team-high 16 points (5-12 FG, 0-2 3PT, 6-7 FT) with four steals while Ramon Galloway added 15 points (5-16 FG, 3-7 3PT, 2-3 FT) and four steals of his own. Steve Zack chipped in with 13 points (6-8 FG, 1-2 FT) and Jerrell Wright added eight points and eight boards in 19 minutes.

As a team, the Explorers shot 40 percent (22-55) from the field, 33 percent (5-15) from three, and 64 percent (14-22) from the charity stripe. Xavier converted 58 percent (26-45) from the field, including a 3-11 (27 percent) clip from behind the arc and a 58 percent (15-26) mark from the free throw line.

Scouting the Explorers
La Salle ranks third in the A-10 in scoring offense (72.8 ppg) and fourth in scoring margin (+6.8) and free throw percentage (.723). Opponents shoot only 32 percent (fourth in A-10) from long range while the Explorer's 8.5 steals/game are good for second in the conference.

Galloway continues to pace La Salle in many categories, including points/game (17.0), assists/game (3.3), steals/game (2.5), and three point field goals/game (2.9). The senior ranks in the top 30 nationally in steals/game as well as three point goals/game and three point field goal percentage (.427).

Garland has led the Blue and Gold in scoring four times in his 10 games since joining the rotation. Jerrell Wright has pulled down 39 rebounds in the last five games (7.8 rpg), upping his season total to 6.5/game, most on the squad.

Coach Giannini continues to play a deep bench and rotate is guards interchangeably, with seven Explorers averaging over 22 minutes/game.

Coach's Corner

Giannini on playing two ranked teams this week.
“It's a great opportunity. Not many teams have the potential to beat two ranked teams in the same week. If you do that, you'll elevate the program pretty quickly. It's a great challenge, but a great opportunity too.”

On the team's offense
“We have to pass the ball much better. Good passers make good shooters, and we're not getting good shots—especially in the last game.”

On Butler
“Without Clarke, they're a good team. With him, they're certainly better—maybe a great team.  But maybe they're a great team even without him out there. I thought they were terrific against Dayton. They were terrific against Gonzaga. They are the top level from a mental standpoint. They do so many things well.”

Scouting the Bulldogs
Butler was won 13 in a row, with its last defeat coming November 21 vs. Illinois. The Bulldogs eeked out a 64-63 victory over #8 Gonzaga on Saturday evening at Hinkle Fieldhouse on a game-winning floater by sophomore Roosevelt Jones, who was named A-10 Co-Player of the Week.

The Bulldog's leading scorer, senior Rotnei Clark (16.3 ppg) sprained his neck on January 12 at Dayton and has been sidelined since. He has been ruled out for the game.

Senior Andrew Smith (11.7 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and freshman Kellen Dunham (10.7 ppg) have picked up the scoring slack in Clarke's stead. Junior Khyle Marshall (10.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg) and Jones (10.3 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.6 apg) both stand in double figures in the scoring column as well.

As a team, Butler ranks third in the conference in scoring margin (+8.7) and second in field goal percentage (.462).

Coach's Corner

Stevens on La Salle
"Their pressure is very good and their guards are very good. I like the bigs. It's a good team. I think it's a team capable of being an at-large NCAA team and I think John has them playing at a good level.

Up Next
La Salle will visit #19/16 VCU on Saturday evening for the first time since the Rams joined the A-10.