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Butler Basketball: Assessing potential strengths for the Bulldogs in 2018-19

By Lukas Harkins

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs shouts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs shouts against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Aaron Thompson #2 and Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs fight for the ball. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: Aaron Thompson #2 and Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs fight for the ball. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Backcourt defense

With Kamar Baldwin and Aaron Thompson roaming the floor, Butler will have one of the best defensive backcourt duos in the country during this upcoming season. Although they do not boast a ton of size, they both are extremely quick on-ball defenders who are eager to create transition opportunities when possible. These two made up the starting backcourt all of last season and they have plenty of experience on the court together.

In college basketball, it is a common theory that guard play can be paramount to winning games. For the most part, though, this thought revolves around the offensive play of guards. However, this can also be analyzed from the reverse side as well. Even though elite scoring guards make the most headlines, being able to shut down those players is just as important. And while Butler does have an elite scoring guard in Baldwin, he is also a lockdown defender who can handle the toughest matchups.

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Additionally, his backcourt partner Aaron Thompson is also capable of handling some of the best scoring guards in the country. Thompson was particularly impressive last season as a true freshman with his tenacity and willingness to take on any matchup. Although he did struggle with foul trouble a bit, this should have been expected considering his youth and he did show tremendous defensive instincts for the most part. Now that he has a full college season and summer under his belt, Thompson should be even better defensively (and all-around) this time around.

With this duo taking the floor, Butler might just have the best defensive backcourt in the entire Big East.