They also watched Matt Howard leave the game after picking up his second foul with 16:44 left in the first half.
Soon after that, Louisville asserted dominance inside and pulled out a 41-23 halftime lead.
Checking back into the history book, the Bulldogs have not allowed a team to score 40 first half points since losing to the Milwaukee Panthers by 16 in '06.
Nonetheless, things changed up a bit in the second half. Louisville got a scare from Butler late in the second half, however, the Cardinals just would not let the Bulldogs back in the game.
Despite leading by more than 20-plus, the Cardinals stayed in front of the Bulldogs and ran towards a 88-73 victory.
Shelvin Mack paced all scorers with 25 points, but also added seven rebounds. Howard, who was in early foul trouble, came alive in the second half and is one of the main reasons why the Bulldogs were able to pull close to the lead.
After scoring two points in the first half, Howard exploded for 21 second half points. Howard ended with 23 points, and nine rebounds.
Rakeem Buckles, pulled in the second double-double of his career with a 17 point, 11 rebound performance to lead Louisville to victory.
Four other players were in double-figures for the Cardinals; Terrence Jennings (13), Mike Marra (11), Preston Knowles, and Elisha Justice both scored 13 apiece.
The Cardinals could surprise a lot of people this season. They forced a No. 18 Butler team to turn the ball over 17-times, and commit 31 total fouls, many which came under one minute left to play.
Nonetheless, the key statistic of the game can be place on the 18 assist to 27 made field goals. The Cardinals move the ball very well on offense, and at least seven players had more than two assist.
The Bulldogs are the third ranked team to lose today following the Virginia Tech Hokies, and Florida Gators.
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