Butler Bulldogs
Atlantic 10 (26-8, 11-5)
With quality wins over teams like Marquette, North Carolina, Indiana and Gonzaga, the Bulldogs certainly made a splash during the 2012-2013 campaign. Yet, Butler struggled offensively at times against A-10 competition, especially away from the friendly confines of Hinkle Fieldhouse. Coach Brad Stevens obviously has a talented team that can beat the best of the best, but now they have to string a few wins together to make March a success.
Big Wins: 11/19 vs Marquette (72-71), 12/15 vs Indiana (88-86), 1/19 Gonzaga (64-63)
Bad Losses: 11/13 at Xavier (47-62), 1/23 at La Salle (53-54), 2/13 Charlotte (67-71)
Coach: Brad Stevens (6 seasons at Butler)
Why They Can Surprise:
The Bulldogs are not a gimmicky squad that can only beat the big boys when they are shooting well from beyond the arc. There is a ton of talent in Indianapolis and Coach Stevens knows how to get the most out of his team. The star is, of course, Rotnei Clarke. The 6-0 senior has made a huge impact during his first year with Butler after transferring in from Arkansas, averaging 16.7 points per game. Clarke is an amazing shooter and knocks down 41.5 percent of his 8.5 attempts per game from beyond the arc. Kellen Dunham is the only other consistent shooting option on the team. Butler may be known for their backcourt play, but it is the frontcourt that has made the difference this year. Center Andrew Smith is an efficient and effective scorer in the paint and has the size to alter plenty of shots on the other end of the floor. Khyle Marshall will do plenty of scoring inside as well. Yet, it is Roosevelt Jones who makes Butler so dangerous on the glass. Jones is just 6-4, and also leads the team in assists, but he is a beast on the glass. In the past Butler has started three guards. Jones passes like a guard, but he rebounds like a forward. Add in 6-8 forwards Kameron Woods and Erik Fromm and the Bulldogs can compete with anybody on the glass.
Why They Can Disappoint:
This is an experienced team, except at the point. Turnovers, at least by Butler standards, were a problem last year and that was with senior Ronald Nored running the show. Last year the Bulldogs had to settle for the CBI in part due to the turnover problems. The numbers are about the same in the turnover department this time around. Alex Barlow is a walk-on who has started a bulk of the games during his sophomore season. Fellow sophomore Jackson Aldridge has yet to crack the regular rotation, leaving Coach Stevens few options. Clarke and Dunham can run the show, but both are better suited off of the ball. With a balanced scoring attack, Butler does not need a point guard who can score, but they do need somebody who can create shots for all of the scorers and play a little defense. Barlow has admirably filled that role in a limited capacity and limited may not be enough in March.
Probable Starters:
Alex Barlow, Sophomore, Guard, 2.0 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.6 rpg, 1.2 spg
Rotnei Clarke, Senior, Guard, 16.7 ppg, 2.7 apg, 2.9 rpg
Roosevelt Jones, Sophomore, Forward, 10.1 ppg, 3.5 apg, 5.7 rpg
Khyle Marshall, Junior, Forward, 9.9 ppg, 4.7 rpg
Andrew Smith, Senior, Center, 11.1 ppg, 5.7 rpg
Key Roleplayers:
Kellen Dunham, Freshman, Guard, 9.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg
Erik Fromm, Junior, Forward, 3.5 ppg, 2.7 rpg
Chase Stigall, Senior, Guard, 1.9 ppg,
Kameron Woods, Sophomore, Forward, 4.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 69.6 (119th in nation, 8th in conference)
Scoring Defense: 63.8 (105, 4)
Field-Goal Percentage: 45.5 (69, 3)
Field-Goal Defense: 41.5 (112, 4)
Three-Point Field Goals Per Game: 6.7 (114, 9)
Three-Point Field-Goal Percentage: 35.1 (106, 7)
Free-Throw Percentage: 68.3 (207, 10)
Rebound Margin: 7.7 (10, 1)
Assists Per Game: 13.2 (140, 10)
Turnovers Per Game: 13.3 (176, 9)
Last Five Postseason Appearances:
2012 CBI First Round win over Delaware
2012 CBI Quarterfinal win over Pennsylvania
2012 CBI Semifinal loss to Pittsburgh
2011 NCAA Round of 64 win over Old Dominion
2011 NCAA Round of 32 win over Pittsburg
2011 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Wisconsin
2011 NCAA Regional Final win over Florida
2011 NCAA National Semifinal win over VCU
2011 NCAA National Final loss to Connecticut
2010 NCAA Round of 64 win over UTEP
2010 NCAA Round of 32 win over Murray State
2010 NCAA Regional Semifinal win over Syracuse
2010 NCAA Regional Final win over Kansas State
2010 NCAA National Semifinal win over Michigan State
2010 NCAA National Final loss to Duke
2009 NCAA Round of 64 loss to LSU
2008 NCAA Round of 64 win over South Alabama
2008 NCAA Round of 32 loss to Tennessee
2007 NCAA Round of 64 win over Old Dominion
2007 NCAA Round of 32 win over Maryland
2007 NCAA Regional Semifinal loss to Florida
*all team stats through 3/10
See All Men’s Basketball Postseason Capsules
