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Butler Basketball: 2018-19 season preview for the Bulldogs

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs reacts in the second half of a game against the Xavier Musketeers at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Xavier defeated Butler 98-93 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 06: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs reacts in the second half of a game against the Xavier Musketeers at Hinkle Fieldhouse on February 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Xavier defeated Butler 98-93 in overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Head coach Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs looks on. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Head coach Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs looks on. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Butler basketball lost two significant seniors this offseason but still looks poised for a strong season. How might the 2018-19 season play out for the Bulldogs?

Butler basketball has been, without a doubt, one of the most consistent programs in the nation for the past several years. And even though they might not get the same national recognition as some others, the program simply goes about its business year after year as a dangerous NCAA Tournament team. Coaching turnover has been a bit of issue for the Dawgs in recent years but it also hasn’t seemed to phase “The Butler Way.”

As we look ahead to this coming season, Butler looks to be in solid shape once again. Now entering Year 2 under former player LaVall Jordan, the Dawgs seem to be strong preseason contenders for an NCAA Tournament bid. And while recovering from the losses of key seniors Kelan Martin and Tyler Wideman will obviously be difficult, there is plenty of returning talent to shoulder the burden.

For the most part, preseason projections have varied tremendously in regards to Butler. While a few noted members of the media have predicted the Bulldogs to finish in the 2-4 range of the Big East, many have also placed the team as low as seventh. Because of this, it is clear that opinions differ on how successful Butler will be this year.

With all this being said, how about we dive into previewing the upcoming campaign for the Bulldogs? This preview will analyze a projected starting lineup, some valuable reserves, a few key storylines, and break down the team’s non-conference schedule before concluding with projections for the team.