To tweet this release: http://bit.ly/c2FG7z

In a rematch of the 2010 NCAA National Championship game, ESPN will televise Butler vs. Duke in a men’s college basketball neutral site showdown from the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J. Saturday, Dec. 4, at 3:30 p.m. ET.  Duke beat Butler 61-59 to win their fourth national championship. ESPN.com senior college basketball writer Andy Katz ranks Duke second and Butler third in his early pre-season top 25 poll.

Duke returns two starters and nine letterwinners from last year’s team that captured the NCAA Championship, and ACC Tournament and regular-season titles.

Butler, returning three starters, captured the attention of the nation in March with its run to the NCAA national championship game. The Bulldogs were the only team to defeat both a No. 1 seed (Syracuse) and a No. 2 seed (Kansas State) in the tournament. Leading scorer and rebounder Gordon Hayward declared early for the NBA draft but has not signed with an agent.

Duke has a long history at the IZOD Center amassing an 18-1 record including five NCAA East Regional Final victories. Butler has never played at the Meadowlands.

-30-