Butler Scouting Report

[Hey Adrien!]

Butler: 8-3
Kenpom Rating: 71 out of 363​

Best wins:

• 76-64 v #54 Kansas State
• 71-61 v #85 Yale
• 75-70 v #92 BYU (neutral)

Losses:

• 62-68 @ #33 Penn State
• 45-71 v #3 Tennessee (Neutral)
• 61-76 v #56 NC State (Neutral)

OFFENSE: 63st in efficiency

• 14th in 2p% (58.2%)
• 74th in 3p% (36.6%)
• Top-90th in both block and non-steal turnover prevention
• ~ the median in
  • 3PA/FGA (36.7%)
  • A/FGM (51.8%)
  • Offensive tempo (17.3 seconds/possession)
• Not efficient at getting to the line (287th in FTA/FGA at 26.3%)
• Poor offensive rebounding rate (23.9%, 302nd in the nation, although Manny Bates was nationally ranked during his time at NC State)

DEFENSE: 78th in efficiency

• 5th in FTA/FGA prevention (17.3%)
• 41st in block % (13.2%)
• 50th in opponent 3p% (29.2%)
• 51st in preventing 3PA (32.2%)
• 92nd in steal % (10.9%)
• ~ Top 2/3rds nationally in
  • A/FGM (47.7%)
  • Opponent 2p% (48.2%)
  • Defensive rebounding rate
• Slightly above median in
  • Average opponent length of possession (17.3 seconds)
  • Opponent ft% (70.2)

After two down seasons at the end of the LaVall Jordan era (24-34, 120ish KenPom rating), the start of Thad Matta’s return to Butler has been promising.

Playing at a faster pace and with way better interior defense, NC State transfer Manny Bates has arguably been the team’s MVP with three of the team’s tallest players currently out.

Bates has replaced Bryce Golden, one of my least favorite Big East bigs during his time at Butler, while Eric Hunter looks much better than the perimetrically challenged Aaron Thompson.

Adding to the transfers, young veterans Jayden Taylor, Simas Lukosius and Chuck Harris have all taken a step in their development, giving Matta a well-balanced starting lineup that is the second most relied upon unit in the nation (only 16.2% of total minutes played by the bench:

This means that whenever Lukosius and/or Bates is sitting, Butler gets even smaller with four 6’5-and-under or five 6’7-and-under lineups.

With Bates healthy, UConn battles, yet again, another high-end defensive big, so the one-two punch of Sanogo/Clingan should be hugely valuable to tire out Bates and keep our bigs fresh.

Overall, I also like our flexibility on defense to match with our non-bigs: I’m mostly curious how Lukosius will be guarded…personally, I prefer Jackson guarding him over Karaban.

 

[husky429]

Butler: 8-3
Kenpom Rating: 71 out of 363​

Best wins:

• 76-64 v #54 Kansas State
• 71-61 v #85 Yale
• 75-70 v #92 BYU (neutral)

Losses:

• 62-68 @ #33 Penn State
• 45-71 v #3 Tennessee (Neutral)
• 61-76 v #56 NC State (Neutral)

OFFENSE: 63st in efficiency

• 14th in 2p% (58.2%)
• 74th in 3p% (36.6%)
• Top-90th in both block and non-steal turnover prevention
• ~ the median in
  • 3PA/FGA (36.7%)
  • A/FGM (51.8%)
  • Offensive tempo (17.3 seconds/possession)
• Not efficient at getting to the line (287th in FTA/FGA at 26.3%)
• Poor offensive rebounding rate (23.9%, 302nd in the nation, although Manny Bates was nationally ranked during his time at NC State)

DEFENSE: 78th in efficiency

• 5th in FTA/FGA prevention (17.3%)
• 41st in block % (13.2%)
• 50th in opponent 3p% (29.2%)
• 51st in preventing 3PA (32.2%)
• 92nd in steal % (10.9%)
• ~ Top 2/3rds nationally in
  • A/FGM (47.7%)
  • Opponent 2p% (48.2%)
  • Defensive rebounding rate
• Slightly above median in
  • Average opponent length of possession (17.3 seconds)
  • Opponent ft% (70.2)

View attachment 81883

After two down seasons at the end of the LaVall Jordan era (24-34, 120ish KenPom rating), the start of Thad Matta’s return to Butler has been promising.

Playing at a faster pace and with way better interior defense, NC State transfer Manny Bates has arguably been the team’s MVP with three of the team’s tallest players currently out.

Bates has replaced Bryce Golden, one of my least favorite Big East bigs during his time at Butler, while Eric Hunter looks much better than the perimetrically challenged Aaron Thompson.

Adding to the transfers, young veterans Jayden Taylor, Simas Lukosius and Chuck Harris have all taken a step in their development, giving Matta a well-balanced starting lineup that is the second most relied upon unit in the nation (only 16.2% of total minutes played by the bench:

This means that whenever Lukosius and/or Bates is sitting, Butler gets even smaller with four 6’5-and-under or five 6’7-and-under lineups.

With Bates healthy, UConn battles, yet again, another high-end defensive big, so the one-two punch of Sanogo/Clingan should be hugely valuable to tire out Bates and keep our bigs fresh.

Overall, I also like our flexibility on defense to match with our non-bigs: I’m mostly curious how Lukosius will be guarded…personally, I prefer Jackson guarding him over Karaban.

I know you've heard it before, but TY for doing these. This is a better scout than most D1 teams get for their opponents (seriously).

 

[nomar]

These are terrific

 

[August_West]

Butler: 8-3
Kenpom Rating: 71 out of 363​

Best wins:

• 76-64 v #54 Kansas State
• 71-61 v #85 Yale
• 75-70 v #92 BYU (neutral)

Losses:

• 62-68 @ #33 Penn State
• 45-71 v #3 Tennessee (Neutral)
• 61-76 v #56 NC State (Neutral)

OFFENSE: 63st in efficiency

• 14th in 2p% (58.2%)
• 74th in 3p% (36.6%)
• Top-90th in both block and non-steal turnover prevention
• ~ the median in
  • 3PA/FGA (36.7%)
  • A/FGM (51.8%)
  • Offensive tempo (17.3 seconds/possession)
• Not efficient at getting to the line (287th in FTA/FGA at 26.3%)
• Poor offensive rebounding rate (23.9%, 302nd in the nation, although Manny Bates was nationally ranked during his time at NC State)

DEFENSE: 78th in efficiency

• 5th in FTA/FGA prevention (17.3%)
• 41st in block % (13.2%)
• 50th in opponent 3p% (29.2%)
• 51st in preventing 3PA (32.2%)
• 92nd in steal % (10.9%)
• ~ Top 2/3rds nationally in
  • A/FGM (47.7%)
  • Opponent 2p% (48.2%)
  • Defensive rebounding rate
• Slightly above median in
  • Average opponent length of possession (17.3 seconds)
  • Opponent ft% (70.2)

View attachment 81883

After two down seasons at the end of the LaVall Jordan era (24-34, 120ish KenPom rating), the start of Thad Matta’s return to Butler has been promising.

Playing at a faster pace and with way better interior defense, NC State transfer Manny Bates has arguably been the team’s MVP with three of the team’s tallest players currently out.

Bates has replaced Bryce Golden, one of my least favorite Big East bigs during his time at Butler, while Eric Hunter looks much better than the perimetrically challenged Aaron Thompson.

Adding to the transfers, young veterans Jayden Taylor, Simas Lukosius and Chuck Harris have all taken a step in their development, giving Matta a well-balanced starting lineup that is the second most relied upon unit in the nation (only 16.2% of total minutes played by the bench:

This means that whenever Lukosius and/or Bates is sitting, Butler gets even smaller with four 6’5-and-under or five 6’7-and-under lineups.

With Bates healthy, UConn battles, yet again, another high-end defensive big, so the one-two punch of Sanogo/Clingan should be hugely valuable to tire out Bates and keep our bigs fresh.

Overall, I also like our flexibility on defense to match with our non-bigs: I’m mostly curious how Lukosius will be guarded…personally, I prefer Jackson guarding him over Karaban.

Should we play the twin towers for 40 minutes together against them? thats what the BY wants.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Should we play the twin towers for 40 minutes together against them? thats what the BY wants.

I love the tag team of the two leaving Bates exhausted by the end of the game.

 

[August_West]

I love the tag team of the two leaving Bates exhausted by the end of the game.

Meh. but you dONt kNOw hOW MucH wE CAn scORe WitH Sanogo and Clingan together.

 

[tykurez]

Lukosius really impressed me last year and I think their only hope is if he goes off for 30+

 

[Marat]

Lukosius really impressed me last year and I think their only hope is if he goes off for 30+

Didn't he enter the portal ? He was pretty good against us.

 

[MTBingNinja]

I know you've heard it before, but TY for doing these. This is a better scout than most D1 teams get for their opponents (seriously).

These scouting reports are a Boneyard treasure

 

[tykurez]

Didn't he enter the portal ? He was pretty good against us.

I think he did when Jordan got canned - but Matta got him to stay.

I seem to remember we played Butler back to back last year for whatever reason and he went off in game 1 and we quieted him down in game 2. But for a freshman he looked really good.

 

[Husky25]

Am I crazy or is the biggest takeaway from the OP that Butler has very little depth?

 

[aburks41]

I agree with putting Jackson on Lukosious. Although if Karaban needs to defend him, I think he would do okay. Lukosious isn't the most athletic guy, he's just a very good shooter.

 

[aburks41]

Am I crazy or is the biggest takeaway from the OP that Butler has very little depth?

They have 3 injured players so right now, yes they have very little depth

 

[Husky25]

They have 3 injured players so right now, yes they have very little depth

5 players averaging over 30 minutes jumped out to me.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Butler: 8-3
Kenpom Rating: 71 out of 363​

Best wins:

• 76-64 v #54 Kansas State
• 71-61 v #85 Yale
• 75-70 v #92 BYU (neutral)

Losses:

• 62-68 @ #33 Penn State
• 45-71 v #3 Tennessee (Neutral)
• 61-76 v #56 NC State (Neutral)

OFFENSE: 63st in efficiency

• 14th in 2p% (58.2%)
• 74th in 3p% (36.6%)
• Top-90th in both block and non-steal turnover prevention
• ~ the median in
  • 3PA/FGA (36.7%)
  • A/FGM (51.8%)
  • Offensive tempo (17.3 seconds/possession)
• Not efficient at getting to the line (287th in FTA/FGA at 26.3%)
• Poor offensive rebounding rate (23.9%, 302nd in the nation, although Manny Bates was nationally ranked during his time at NC State)

DEFENSE: 78th in efficiency

• 5th in FTA/FGA prevention (17.3%)
• 41st in block % (13.2%)
• 50th in opponent 3p% (29.2%)
• 51st in preventing 3PA (32.2%)
• 92nd in steal % (10.9%)
• ~ Top 2/3rds nationally in
  • A/FGM (47.7%)
  • Opponent 2p% (48.2%)
  • Defensive rebounding rate
• Slightly above median in
  • Average opponent length of possession (17.3 seconds)
  • Opponent ft% (70.2)

View attachment 81883

After two down seasons at the end of the LaVall Jordan era (24-34, 120ish KenPom rating), the start of Thad Matta’s return to Butler has been promising.

Playing at a faster pace and with way better interior defense, NC State transfer Manny Bates has arguably been the team’s MVP with three of the team’s tallest players currently out.

Bates has replaced Bryce Golden, one of my least favorite Big East bigs during his time at Butler, while Eric Hunter looks much better than the perimetrically challenged Aaron Thompson.

Adding to the transfers, young veterans Jayden Taylor, Simas Lukosius and Chuck Harris have all taken a step in their development, giving Matta a well-balanced starting lineup that is the second most relied upon unit in the nation (only 16.2% of total minutes played by the bench:

This means that whenever Lukosius and/or Bates is sitting, Butler gets even smaller with four 6’5-and-under or five 6’7-and-under lineups.

With Bates healthy, UConn battles, yet again, another high-end defensive big, so the one-two punch of Sanogo/Clingan should be hugely valuable to tire out Bates and keep our bigs fresh.

Overall, I also like our flexibility on defense to match with our non-bigs: I’m mostly curious how Lukosius will be guarded…personally, I prefer Jackson guarding him over Karaban.

This is a good test for Karaban. he may have to guard Lukosius who is shorter but stronger. In a vacuum Jackson would probably be better but then Karaban would have to guard someone even smaller and quicker.

Many of us fans have been critical of Hurley in the past of letting opposing coaches dictate Hurley's rotation and forced UConn to match them rather than make them match UConn. This game could be the game where Hurley matches the opposing coach but has the horses in the right positions to do it. Go small with Newton, Hawkins, Alleyne, Jackson at 1-4. Joey and Diarra round out that group. Rotate Sanogo and Clingan in the post. Find some minutes for Karaban as needed.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Am I crazy or is the biggest takeaway from the OP that Butler has very little depth?

They have 3 injured players so right now, yes they have very little depth

5 players averaging over 30 minutes jumped out to me.

Another reason for UConn to go small and rotate amongst the six guards and wings. Wear them down with fresh bodies. Even using Diarra for a couple of minutes at a time to dog someone all over the court. Just don't let Diarra touch the ball on offense.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I know you've heard it before, but TY for doing these. This is a better scout than most D1 teams get for their opponents (seriously).

It would be awesome to do a post-game comparison to see how they did against UConn compared to their stats coming in to the game.

 

[husky429]

Should be a good opportunity to get Karaban some shots up on offense.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Should be a good opportunity to get Karaban some shots up on offense.

May even have some chances to post his guy up and see what Alex can do in the post with some room to operate.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

I love the tag team of the two leaving Bates exhausted by the end of the game.

Live look in at the suffocating twin towers defense.

 

[BrassBonanza]

These are excellent - I would actually be interested in seeing the same breakout for this UCONN team, that 30-35 min box would be empty! I think Newton averages the most minutes so far this season at around 27.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Butler: 8-3
Kenpom Rating: 71 out of 363​

Best wins:

• 76-64 v #54 Kansas State
• 71-61 v #85 Yale
• 75-70 v #92 BYU (neutral)

Losses:

• 62-68 @ #33 Penn State
• 45-71 v #3 Tennessee (Neutral)
• 61-76 v #56 NC State (Neutral)

OFFENSE: 63st in efficiency

• 14th in 2p% (58.2%)
• 74th in 3p% (36.6%)
• Top-90th in both block and non-steal turnover prevention
• ~ the median in
  • 3PA/FGA (36.7%)
  • A/FGM (51.8%)
  • Offensive tempo (17.3 seconds/possession)
• Not efficient at getting to the line (287th in FTA/FGA at 26.3%)
• Poor offensive rebounding rate (23.9%, 302nd in the nation, although Manny Bates was nationally ranked during his time at NC State)

DEFENSE: 78th in efficiency

• 5th in FTA/FGA prevention (17.3%)
• 41st in block % (13.2%)
• 50th in opponent 3p% (29.2%)
• 51st in preventing 3PA (32.2%)
• 92nd in steal % (10.9%)
• ~ Top 2/3rds nationally in
  • A/FGM (47.7%)
  • Opponent 2p% (48.2%)
  • Defensive rebounding rate
• Slightly above median in
  • Average opponent length of possession (17.3 seconds)
  • Opponent ft% (70.2)

View attachment 81883

After two down seasons at the end of the LaVall Jordan era (24-34, 120ish KenPom rating), the start of Thad Matta’s return to Butler has been promising.

Playing at a faster pace and with way better interior defense, NC State transfer Manny Bates has arguably been the team’s MVP with three of the team’s tallest players currently out.

Bates has replaced Bryce Golden, one of my least favorite Big East bigs during his time at Butler, while Eric Hunter looks much better than the perimetrically challenged Aaron Thompson.

Adding to the transfers, young veterans Jayden Taylor, Simas Lukosius and Chuck Harris have all taken a step in their development, giving Matta a well-balanced starting lineup that is the second most relied upon unit in the nation (only 16.2% of total minutes played by the bench:

This means that whenever Lukosius and/or Bates is sitting, Butler gets even smaller with four 6’5-and-under or five 6’7-and-under lineups.

With Bates healthy, UConn battles, yet again, another high-end defensive big, so the one-two punch of Sanogo/Clingan should be hugely valuable to tire out Bates and keep our bigs fresh.

Overall, I also like our flexibility on defense to match with our non-bigs: I’m mostly curious how Lukosius will be guarded…personally, I prefer Jackson guarding him over Karaban.

They have one legit big. Sanogo and Clingan on rotation is just brutal. Thats even without foul trouble for an opposing big.

 

[Chin Diesel]

They have one legit big. Sanogo and Clingan on rotation is just brutal. Thats even without foul trouble for an opposing big.

Handicap tag team match.

 

[MJKI]

Can’t wait to see the Karaban Lukosius matchup on O; kid can ball but is a sieve defensively. Think Karaban will be open for the backdoor cuts and corner 3s all day. Bates will be drowning playing 30+ against sanogo and Clingan (provided he doesn’t foul out)

 

[auror]

Snooping around the Butler forums, seems like there's a decent chance Ali Ali plays this weekend. He started practicing on the 8th coming back from severe concussion + broken nose and they said a week out from then. He's a senior stretch 4 40% 3-point shooter last season at Akron. Hasn't played this season yet, but was a projected starter. No idea if he'll get full minutes. He gives them a bit more size and can push Lukosius to the 3. Lineups with Hunter, Lukosius, and Ali would have 3 potentially 40%+ shooters out there around Bates and give lots of room for Harris or Taylor to create off the bounce.

Jalen Thomas also likely back for his first game action of the season, but may be on a min count. Transfer from Georgia St. Decent shot blocker, backup C.

 

[TheChamps990411]

Handicap tag team match.

We make jokes but think about it for a minute. Imagine you have a solid big man who gives you lets say 15ppg 8rbs 3blks. Hes 6`10 240lbs and plays 30 mpg. No real depth behind him but you dont really need it because this guys a gamer. Sounds great right? Yeah now here comes Uconn as your next opponent on your attempt to go to the F4 and youre the coach that has to plan for 40 or more nonstop minutes of either a 6`9 250lb low post scoring machine, who can run the floor rebound and defend or a 7`2 265lb rim protecter who can run the floor, rebound and block shots. Your guy has to guard these guys or try to score against them every minute hes on the floor and he absolutely cannot get into foul trouble. This isnt even fair.

 

[jibsey]

Should be a good opportunity to get Karaban some shots up on offense.

He really hasn’t had the shots opportunity lately but the kid can flat out shoot. He’s not as fast as Hawkins on getting free for the pick and pop, and of course opposing defenses know he’s dangerous out there.

 

[MuchoDogYears]

They have one legit big. Sanogo and Clingan on rotation is just brutal. Thats even without foul trouble for an opposing big.

Sanogo and Clingan rotation is brutal for an opposing center with both being talented and constantly bringing fresh legs off the bench.

But it’s got to be a nightmare for the opposing center because they both bring different size, athleticism, skill sets, and BB strengths. How do you adjust when you have to constantly change your defensive and offensive game depending on whether Clingan or Sanogo is in the game?

 

[MTBingNinja]

5 players averaging over 30 minutes jumped out to me.

Let’s wear them down!

 

[Sibeerian]

We make jokes but think about it for a minute. Imagine you have a solid big man who gives you lets say 15ppg 8rbs 3blks. Hes 6`10 240lbs and plays 30 mpg. No real depth behind him but you dont really need it because this guys a gamer. Sounds great right? Yeah now here comes Uconn as your next opponent on your attempt to go to the F4 and youre the coach that has to plan for 40 or more nonstop minutes of either a 6`9 250lb low post scoring machine, who can run the floor rebound and defend or a 7`2 265lb rim protecter who can run the floor, rebound and block shots. Your guy has to guard these guys or try to score against them every minute hes on the floor and he absolutely cannot get into foul trouble. This isnt even fair.

This would be the main storyline for a lot of teams. But you also have a gifted freshman who can score from anywhere, an NBA bound sharpshooter, and a freakish human highlight machine out there at the same time. You aren't picking your poison, you are getting a poison cocktail, IV and enema simultaneously.