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Butler Basketball: 5 storylines to follow for the 2017 Big East tournament

By Lukas Harkins

Feb 26, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann (L) talks to his team during a time out in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center. Butler won 88-79. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Chris Holtmann (L) talks to his team during a time out in the second half against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center. Butler won 88-79. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Avery Woodson (0) celebrates defeating Villanova University 66-58 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Butler University guard Avery Woodson (0) celebrates defeating Villanova University 66-58 at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

Can they win the whole thing?

Yes. That is the simple answer. Butler has beaten every team except Creighton in the conference and will be one of the favorites to win the Big East Tournament. Time and time again this season, Butler has beaten very good teams, including two wins over Villanova while in conference play.

This ability to beat anybody comes from their balanced attack. Even if one player is off from the field, they can still win big games because they are so many players who can step up. This is a very deep team that should not get tired when playing three games in three days. Unlike the favorite to win the tournament Villanova, who plays just a six-man rotation, Butler consistently plays nine guys.

Each of these nine players has played in at least 26 of their 30 games while averaging over 10 minutes per contest. In addition to this depth, it seems as if everybody on the floor can shoot. Outside of Tyler Wideman and Kethan Savage, the other seven players are all averaging over 34.9% from three.

This ability to stretch the floor is very dangerous in March, especially when coupled with the ability of Baldwin, Martin, and Chrabascz in taking over games late.

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