Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: Breaking down each 2018-19 non-conference opponent

By Lukas Harkins

CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 02: Jordan the head coach of the Butler Bulldogs gives instructions to his team against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center on January 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - JANUARY 02: Jordan the head coach of the Butler Bulldogs gives instructions to his team against the Xavier Musketeers at the Cintas Center on January 2, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 20: Shuler #0 of the Mississippi Rebels tries to save a ball. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – NOVEMBER 20: Shuler #0 of the Mississippi Rebels tries to save a ball. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Nov. 16: Mississippi at Butler

With a few days off between the first two games and this one, the Bulldogs should have plenty of time to prepare for their first major conference test of the year. While Mississippi may have struggled this past season, they still played plenty of competitive games in a gauntlet of a conference (SEC). Overall, the Rebels finished last season with a disappointing record of 12-20 (5-13). This campaign resulted in head coach Andy Kennedy stepping down after 27 games.

With former MTSU head coach Kermit Davis now at the helm, there is a new era beginning in Mississippi. Coach Davis was extremely successful at the mid-major level and has notched victories over Michigan State and Minnesota in the NCAA Tournament in recent years. However, he might still be having nightmares of Butler’s Kamar Baldwin, who shut out his star player, Giddy Potts, in the 2017 Big Dance.

Related Story. Updated preseason Bracketology. light

Looking ahead this 2018-19 matchup, though, Butler will have to deal with three returning double-digit scorers per game from Mississippi. Terence Davis (13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds), Breein Tyree (10.8 points), and Bruce Stevens (10.8 points, 5.3 rebounds) were all integral parts of the rotation last season for the Rebels and that will likely continue under new leadership. In addition, rising sophomore Devontae Shuler projects as a potential breakout candidate for the team.

Mississippi was one of the worst defensive high-major teams in the country last season, giving up 78.1 points per game (304th in the nation). This might change under new leadership but it will take a drastic turnaround.