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Butler Basketball: 3 reasons why the Bulldogs can still make the NCAA Tournament

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Butler's Wideman, Baldwin, Thompson, and Martin.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Butler's Wideman, Baldwin, Thompson, and Martin. /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 06: Jorgensen and McDermott
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 06: Jorgensen and McDermott /

2. Paul Jorgensen’s slump will end

Butler’s biggest issue on the offensive end of the floor this season has been their lack of a consistent third scorer. It seems that every game is a toss-up in regards to who will follow Kelan Martin and Kamar Baldwin in the scoring column. For most of this season, that guy has been junior Paul Jorgensen. Yet, he has been invisible on offense during this Bulldogs’ losing streak.

Over these past three games, Jorgensen is averaging just 4.3 points per game on 1-for-13 (7.7%) shooting from 3-point range. For reference, he put up 11.3 points per game on 38.8% 3-point shooting in the first 24 games of the year. Given this dramatic drop-off, it is clear that the junior is in the midst of a major slump.

Yet, Jorgensen is a confident player. He might not be seeing the ball go through the net right now but he is going to keep shooting. For a shooter as talented as he is, a slump like this will not last long. Once Paulie starts to get his shot back from deep, he will be able to attack the basket more effectively and therefore return to form as Butler’s third-leading scorer.

Jorgensen is the kind of player that can take Butler to the next level. If he gets is going again, Butler can go from being a fringe tournament team to being a very dangerous No. 6-9 seed. Watch out for “Prince Harry of Harlem” to start raining them from deep starting in Butler’s next game against Providence. The confidence is there and the buckets will follow soon.

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