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Butler (10-4)
#65 in KenPom
21st in D1 experience
347th in minutes continuity (8.8%)
#65 in KenPom
21st in D1 experience
347th in minutes continuity (8.8%)
46th in Offensive efficiency
- 30th w/ a 76.5 FT%; but just 273rd best FT rate in nation
- 38th in turnover prevention
- 53rd w/ a 54.6 2P%; only 36.2% of shot attempts are from 3 (210th)
- 136th in offensive tempo
- 167th in offensive rebounding rate
- 187th w/ a 33.1 3P%
- 221st in A/FGM (48.3%)
107th in Defensive efficiency
- 8th in preventing FT rate; 27th in opp. FT% (66.3%)
- 73rd in A/FGM prevention (45.9%)
- 121st w/ a opp. 48.6 2P%
- 212nd in defensive rebounding rate
- 217th in turnover caused rate
- 253th in 3PA/FGA prevention (39.5%), 86th in opp 3P% (31.1%)
Results from first Big East games
- W 74-64 vs Georgetown
- OTL 75-85 at Providence
- L 70-86 at St. John’s
- Non-conference wins against Texas Tech, Boise State, Penn State, Cal
- Non-conference losses to Michigan State and FAU; 163rd hardest non-con schedule
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP:
Posh Alexander 6’0 205 senior transfer from St. John’s
- 2nd highest defensive efficiency rating
DJ Davis 6’1 175 senior transfer from UC Santa Clara
- Lowest defensive efficiency rating
Pierre Brooks 6’6 240 junior transfer from Michigan State
Jahmyl Telford 6’7 225 senior transfer from Northeastern
Jalen Thomas 6’10 240 fifth-year returnee
- Highest defensive efficiency rating
FREQUENTLY USED BENCH PIECES - 26.8% minutes (288th in nation)
Landon Moore 6’3 200 sophomore transfer from St. Francis (PA)
- 2nd lowest defensive efficiency rating
Andre Screen 7’1 255 senior transfer from Bucknell
- 3rd lowest defensive efficiency rating
Finley Bizjack 6’4 195 freshman
- 3rd highest defensive efficiency rating
After graduating from Butler and starting his head coaching career there, Thad Matta is now in Year 2 of his second tenure with the Bulldogs. Last year was the first losing season in his career, but this year’s Butler team represents almost a full reset from the LaVall Jordan era (non-rotation center John-Michael Mulloy is the only player from the Jordan era).
Eight Bulldogs from last year’s squad hit the portal, but just two stuck with high-major conferences, which highlights the inferior talent of last year’s team. Jazzed about this year’s roster, Matta wants Butler back to playing “Butler Basketball”, which focuses on cohesion, energy and competitiveness.
Overall, Matta likes guys who play with a chip on their shoulder, so the addition of Posh Alexander fits that mold perfectly with his defensive intensity and offensive game that has a high emphasis on attacking the rim. Currently, his turnover rates are close to his career lows, which does not come as a major surprise considering the general sloppiness of Mike Anderson’s offensive system, or lack thereof.
Playing a backup role at Michigan State, Pierre Brooks has stepped up in a bigger role at Butler. At 6’6 240 with guard skills and mentality, Brooks is a unique talent at his size, playing an efficient offensive game with an ability to score at three-levels and post-up on leaner 3 guards. Despite his girth, Brooks is not a positionally strong rebounder though.
Northeastern transfer Jahmyl Telfort has not been phased playing against better talent than last year. Telfort’s willingness to score from anywhere and his unselfish play provides a diverse offensive toolbox at the 4 spot and he’s got the size, skill and willingness to guard any position.
DJ Davis is a combo guard who has spent three seasons at UC Irvine, a program known for its elite interior defense. He’s a gritty defensive player, but he sometimes cheats too much hunting for a turnover and makes mistakes in other ways on the defensive end. The starting 2-guard, Davis also plays point when Posh is on the bench. Overall, Davis is a very efficient guard on offense and is a strong spacer.
Fifth-year returnee Jalen Thomas and Bucknell transfer Andre Screen share the center position and both share identically strong block/rebound rates and similarly simple, low post offensive games. Thomas is 6’10, has impressive length, strength and a stronger defender. Screen is HUGE, but has sketchy footwork and will have trouble against more athletic bigs.
Landon Moore, a St. Francis transfer, is typically the first guard off the bench, and is best characterized as a three-level depth scoring piece. He’s not overly athletic and isn’t a strong defender, but is physically strong for a guard.
Freshman Finley Bizjack can play any backcourt position and has endeared himself to Matt’s and Butler’s fanbase thanks to his combination of grit, BBIQ and basically showing right away why he’s a “gamer”. His three-point shot hasn’t fallen yet, and his PT has gone down in conference play, but he’s an intriguing long-term piece and a few years down the line can very well become one of the better guards in the conference.
Overall, the Bulldogs possess a talent level that we haven’t seen from Butler in a few seasons. They aren’t super athletic, but they are an experienced, hard-working team that understands their roles. They’re an NCAA hopeful, and considering their lack of roster continuity, I can totally see this team improve as the season continues.
