Butler Basketball: Butler Bulldogs 2015-16 Season Preview
Butler Bulldogs
2014-2015 Record: 23-11 (12-6, Big East)
Postseason: NCAA Tournament – Third Round
The Butler Bulldogs had one of the more surprising and unusual 2014-15 campaigns as the Bulldogs leaned on interim-coach Chris Holtmann to salvage a season that began on unsure footing.
Then coach Brandon Miller announced he was taking a mysterious leave of absence on October 2nd, 2014 and Holtmann stepped in to the head coach role only a month from the season starting. Holtmann and team put fears of instability to rest by just winning.
The catalyst was a surprise victory over then #5 North Carolina in “The Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament”. Tough defense, timely shooting and a reclamation of “The Butler Way” led the Bulldogs to being a possession away from a Sweet Sixteen berth.
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This season will present a number of challenges as well. Its best two defensive players from last season (Kameron Woods and Alex Barlow) have graduated, but the AP #24/Coaches #22 ranked Bulldogs still have First-Team preseason All-Big East players Roosevelt Jones and Kellen Dunham.
Below are more players and key games that will determine the Bulldogs’ position in the Big East this season.
Newcomers
G – Tyler Lewis (transfer from NC State)
G – Jordan Gathers (graduate transfer from St. Bonaventure)
F – Sean McDermott
C – Nate Fowler
Key Non-Conference Games
Nov. 19 – 22 Puerto Rico Tip-Off – This will be a big opportunity for the Bulldogs to a non-conference accomplishment. The Bulldogs and Utah Utes are the front-runners in this tournament, with teams such as Miami (FL), Mississippi State, Minnesota and Temple all looking for upsets and surprises.
If the Bulldogs and Utes meet in the championship, containing 7’0″ Austrian Jakob Poeltl will be the key to winning.
Dec. 2 at Cincinnati – The Bearcats received votes in both preseason polls and are looking to improve upon their third round NCAA trip last season. The Bearcats will be led by senior forward Octavius Ellis (9.9 ppg. and 7.2 rpg.) and a defense that was sixth in points allowed last season (55.3 opponents points per game). Expect a close, drag-it-out defensive struggle here in early December.
Dec. 19 Crossroads Classic vs. Purdue at Bankers Life Fieldhouse – Here’s a fun fact: Purdue has not beaten Butler since 1998 (0-4 in that span).
The in-state foes meet again in this year’s version of the Crossroads Classic, an Indiana basketball showcase in which Indiana, Notre Dame, Butler Purdue square off in an afternoon and evening double-header from Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This year’s edition is a doozy.
All four teams should be ranked and threats to do some damage in March. If Butler is able to neutralize Purdue’s size advantage, then it stands a great chance of continuing their win streak.
Key Players
Kellen Dunham – The Top-15 leading scorer in Butler history has a chance to solidify his legacy amongst the greats of Butler through completing another solid season.
Dunham, a 6’6″ sharp-shooter, will punish teams from downtown that leave the slightest bit of space for him.
Expect teams to try and double up Dunham, rough him up off screens and try to force him to put the ball on the floor. Whatever teams have tried so far hasn’t worked. Dunham is one of the best shooters in the country and expect that to continue this season.
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Roosevelt Jones – Jones has been at Butler for what seems like eight years. The 6’4″ guard/forward does a little bit of everything for the Bulldogs and every coach would love to have him on their team.
The key for Jones will be shooting percentage and making shots. He isn’t a threat from deep (he’s only attempted three three-pointers in his career), and his field goal percentage last season dipped to 42% (down from 48% in 2012 – 13).
Still, he is one of the key cogs in the machine for Butler and will be asked to do a little bit of everything. Post defense will be huge as Jones is often asked and is good at sizing up against opponents who are much larger than him.
Season Outlook
This is an interesting and really good team. Don’t overlook the addition of Tyler Lewis at point guard. His quickness and distribution capabilities will give the Bulldogs increased effectiveness on offense.
Defensively, replacing Woods and Barlow will be tough and Butler will need to figure it out quickly because their non-conference schedule has some difficult games.
If their frontcourt of Jones, Chrabascz (who could be in for a big year), and a youngster (Tyler Wideman and/or Sean Fowler) play tough, Butler could easily be a Sweet Sixteen team.