Butler to begin A10 play in 2012-2013

And the hits…they keep on coming…

Just when it had appeared the Atlantic 10 was finally settling into a nice offseason hoops slumber, the Butler Bulldogs, originally slated for an A10 inaugural season of 2013-2014, announced they had reached an agreement with the Atlantic 10 and former home , the Horizon League, to kick off A10 play this coming hoops season of 2012-2013.

Butler Athletic Director Barry Collier said in a statement that the University  is “grateful to the Atlantic 10 for welcoming us into the fold a year ahead of schedule…Since announcing our intention to depart after 2012-13, Butler and the Horizon League have discussed the terms for next season.  Ultimately, it was in our best interest to reach an agreement with the Horizon League for immediate departure.”

The Bulldogs will join the now 16-team league that includes new member VCU and outgoing members Temple and Charlotte.

Butler adds another 20+ win team to the A10, returning most of it’s firepower from the team that finished 22-15 before falling to Pitt in last year’s CBI semifinals. The recent two-time NCAA tournament runner-up also add Rotnei Clarke, an Arkansas transfer who averaged 12+ points in his three season’s for the SEC squad, hitting more than 42% of his threes his last two seasons in Fayetteville.