Now, things get real for Northwestern. Just two days after beating Eastern Washington, the Wildcats (2-0) head out on the road to take on the Butler Bulldogs (1-0) in their first game away from Welsh-Ryan Arena on Wednesday night.

It’s the first real challenge for Northwestern which, as part of the Gavitt Games, faces a Butler team that was eliminated in the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament. But, Chris Holtmann’s team will be without top transfer Kethan Savage, who is out due to an illness.

That should makes things a bit easier for Northwestern, but Butler is still one of the tougher foes the Wildcats will play before the Big Ten season begins. Savage, a transfer from George Washington, is part of a Bulldogs’ nucleus that has to make up for the departures of Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones, who are now playing professionally.

Follow along online with our GameThread, which will go live as we approach tip-off.

Broadcast Information

Game time: 6 p.m. CT

TV: FS1

Online: Fox Sports GO, Studio N

Mobile: Fox Sports GO app

Radio: WGN 720 AM, 89.3 FM WNUR

Betting line: Butler -7