Thad Matta returned three years ago to reinject life into the Butler Bulldogs after several years out of the game. The team showed real progress in Year 2 but regressed in his third season with a mere 9-13 overall record and a 2-9 record in Big East play. However, this season has something special. It’s their assistant coach, and Caitlin Clark’s boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, determined to change the scenario for the Butler roster. And he finally did.

“Following a high-level playing career, Connor has had the opportunity to both contribute and learn alongside one of the best staffs in the NBA,” Matta said in a statement. And thankfully for the head coach, it is translating, in bits as it may.

The Butler Bulldogs just pulled off an absolutely dominant performance, leaving Seton Hall in their dust with a crushing 84-54 victory. It all came after all five starters scored in double figures with standout performances from Pierre Brooks who led with 14. Both McCaffery and Kapke followed him with 13 points each.

This marks a significant achievement, as the Bulldogs have been far from favorites this season. According to the latest bracketology projections, the Bulldogs’ chances to make it to March Madness are slim—an almost laughable 0.8%. They’re also carrying an automatic bid probability of just 0.7% and an at-large bid of 0.1%.

Even a No. 12 seed is considered a long shot, with just a 0.4% chance. Simply put, the Bulldogs aren’t exactly setting the court on fire, but if their recent performance is any indicator, they might just be gearing up to prove the experts wrong. Butler’s performance against Seton Hall was nothing short of clinical. They shot a blistering 58% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. All this was enough to end up with a season-high 12 made three-pointers.

In fact, Butler’s 33-point victory was their second-largest of the season, showcasing their ability to shine when the moment is right. It’s hard not to imagine how far this team could go with a little more consistency and some luck on their side.

Connor’s consistency meets Caitlin Clark’s magic: a winning formula

For most of the offseason, Clark has spent time at Butler’s game arenas. Unexpectedly, her presence at games has brought a change in fortune for the Butler Bulldogs. On January 16, she was spotted at Hinkle Fieldhouse supporting the Bulldogs against the same opponent, Seton Hall.

It was the moment when the Bulldogs ended their 42-day losing streak. Her presence seemed to work some magic as the Bulldogs defeated Seton Hall 82-77. This came after she missed a game against Houston on December 7, 2024, which marked the start of the team’s nine-game losing streak.

While her earlier visits coincided with the team’s continued misfortunes, her presence did bring back the narrative of her being a symbolic “lucky charm.”

But, of course, it isn’t something to rely on. Butler’s roster needs to step up. They’ve proven their potential tonight, and previously on January 28 game against No. 9 Marquette. Butler’s Jahmyl Telfort led all scorers with 24 points. Not just that, but he also complemented it with five assists and four rebounds.

And the best part is he’s not alone. Pierre Brooks is right there to support him. During the January 25 game against DePaul, he scored 29 points, a season-high, while grabbing 13 rebounds in Butler’s 86-69 victory. But still, Butler has a long way to go. What do you think? Will they be able to make it to the tournament or not?