Butler Bulldogs Down 2 Starters for Marquette Game

Coach Thad Matta seeks 500th win as Bulldogs face injury, illness issues

Feb. 7, 2026 at 12:23pm

The Butler Bulldogs will be missing two key starters for their upcoming basketball game against Marquette on Saturday. Point guard Azavier Robinson is out with a wrist injury, while forward Jamie Kaiser Jr. is sidelined due to illness. This comes as head coach Thad Matta looks to earn his 500th career victory.

Why it matters

The Bulldogs have struggled with injuries to key players throughout the season, and these latest absences will make it even more challenging for them to defeat a tough Marquette team on the road. Matta's milestone win would be a bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign for Butler.

The details

Robinson, a sophomore, has been a consistent starter for the Bulldogs this season, averaging over 10 points and 5 assists per game. Kaiser, a junior forward, is also a regular in the starting lineup and contributes over 8 points and 5 rebounds per contest. Their absences will force Matta to shuffle his rotation and rely more on bench players against the Golden Eagles.

  • The Butler Bulldogs will face Marquette on Saturday, February 8, 2026.
  • Coach Thad Matta is seeking his 500th career victory.

The players

Azavier Robinson

A sophomore point guard and regular starter for the Butler Bulldogs.

Jamie Kaiser Jr.

A junior forward and starting player for the Butler Bulldogs.

Thad Matta

The head coach of the Butler Bulldogs, who is seeking his 500th career victory.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Bulldogs will need to find a way to overcome the absences of Robinson and Kaiser if they hope to defeat Marquette and help Matta reach the 500-win milestone.

The takeaway

Injuries and illnesses have been a persistent issue for the Butler Bulldogs this season, and these latest setbacks will make an already difficult task of defeating Marquette even harder. However, the opportunity for Matta to achieve a significant coaching milestone provides some added motivation for the team.