Butler Offseason News Update
by Nick Dettmann
When the Butler Bulldogs were man-handled in the Horizon League conference championship game against UW-Milwaukee, many were skeptical of whether they were deserving of a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
After the nerve-shaking on Selection Sunday, the Bulldogs did receive an at-large bid into the tournament. And Butler took full advantage of it as they advanced all the way to the Sweet 16 round before losing to top-seeded Oklahoma.
In response to back-to-back 25-plus win seasons and the Sweet 16 appearance, the Bulldogs awarded head coach Todd Lickliter the longest contract extension in school history in any sport. Lickliter inked a deal that will keep him on the Butler sidelines through the 2009-2010 season. The new seven-year deal will replace the initial contract Lickliter signed in May 2001.
Lickliter after only two seasons at the helm has a remarkable 53-12 record. Only two coaches in NCAA history have more wins than Lickliter in their first two seasons.
Butler finished the 2002-03 season ranked 21st in the final ESPN/USA Today poll, which was the highest final national ranking since 1948-49.
