Caitlin Clark became a Butler Bulldogs fan the moment the program hired her boyfriend, Connor McCaffery, as an assistant coach. And since then, she’s been at nearly every game. Coincidence or not, the Bulldogs have been on a roll this season. Fans even started calling her their “lucky charm“. But the lore might hold more weight than just fan banter—because in one game Caitlin wasn’t courtside, the Bulldogs took a crushing loss.

Without Clark in the stands, Butler faced No. 17 Houston in a challenging road game, and it wasn’t pretty. The Bulldogs, who had been riding high with a 7-1 record and a six-game winning streak, crumbled 79-51 last night. Houston dominated Butler on both ends of the floor, especially in the second half, where they shot 67% from the field and outscored the Bulldogs 51-30.

L.J. Cryer led the charge for Houston with 20 points, 18 of which came in the second half. Houston’s dominance wasn’t just in scoring. They even out-rebounded Butler 41-22 and held a 28-6 advantage in points in the paint.

Butler’s Patrick McCaffery and Augusto Cassia both put up 11 points, but the team’s top scorers, Posh Alexander Brooks and Jahmyl Telfort, were effectively neutralized. Overall, the Bulldogs shot a dismal 28% from the field and went 9-for-28 from beyond the arc. 

Unfortunately, their defense, which ranked fifth nationally in field goal percentage, couldn’t slow Houston’s red-hot offense. And we can’t help but wonder if it’s because the Indiana Fever star was not there in the crowd, supporting her man. 

Since the season began, Clark’s courtside presence has become a fixture for Butler fans. And she just doesn’t come to pay a visit or just sit in the stand. She cheers loudly, smiles big, and wears her Butler pride. In a previous game against Merrimack, she was decked out in a Bulldogs hoodie and cheered them on as they dismantled their opponent 78-39.

If that’s not lucky charm material, what is? There have even been viral moments, like when Indiana Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton shared a laugh with her after Connor’s younger brother flexed following a basket. Moments like these have only endeared her more to Butler fans. And despite this loss, the team is having a fantastic start to the season. 

Bulldogs’ ranking jumps overnight

Earlier this week, their NET ranking rose from 42 to 38 overnight, thanks in part to their impressive win over Illinois. Connor McCaffery’s coaching has been a game-changer, while his younger brother Patrick has been at the forefront on the court. 

In a top performance against Eastern Illinois, Patrick dropped 20 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, while Jahmyl Telfort added another 20 points and went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. This has helped propel Butler to the top of the Big East standings early in the season, proving they’ve got the talent to compete.

Going forward, the Bulldogs are likely hoping the 2024 ROTY returns and so does her magic. And they do need it as the season progresses. But if she doesn’t, Butler’s next game against NDSU is a chance to bounce back and prove they can thrive with or without their ‘lucky charm.’ However, we’re hoping Caitlin will be there, cheering them on to another victory.