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Butler Basketball: Analyzing the newest Bulldogs heading into 2018-19

By Lukas Harkins

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs looks on 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 looks on 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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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 18: Butler Bulldogs fans cheer in the second half. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 18: Butler Bulldogs fans cheer in the second half. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

SO Jordan Tucker

Forward | 6-foot-7 | 210 lbs | Transfer from Duke

Possibly the only member of this group of newcomers who will see a significant role this season, Jordan Tucker has all the makings of a potential star for Butler. Out of high school, the 6-foot-7 forward was ranked at No. 82 in the country and committed to play for Coach K and Duke. Yet, after receiving just 14 total minutes in the first month of this past season for the Blue Devils, Tucker elected to transfer to Butler.

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    • As a midseason transfer, Tucker will not be eligible to play for the Bulldogs until the end of the first semester. Yet, this hasn’t stopped the Tucker hype train in Indianapolis. Even though Kamar Baldwin is the clear-cut preseason best player of the team, many are expecting that Tucker might be able to be his partner-in-crime this season. However, it is important to note that Tucker does not need to be an immediate star in order to help the Bulldogs succeed this season.

    Butler is already quite deep at the combo forward position with Sean McDermott, Henry Baddley, and Christian David on the roster, so allowing Tucker to slowly ease his way into the rotation is certainly an option. Once settled in, if Tucker is able to be a strong contributing scorer either as a starter or key reserve, then Bulldog fans should be very happy considering he will be just in sophomore standing this year.

    As a player, Tucker projects as smooth shooting forward who can absolutely light it up from deep. He has a nasty crossover, an extremely smooth release on his jumper, and plenty of confidence to take (and make) tough shots. Also, with his excellent size and athleticism, Tucker can be a nightmare to cover in transition due to his versatility as a pull-up shooter or creative finisher at the basket.

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    Expectations are varied when it comes to each of these four players but all of them seem likely to play significant roles at some point in their Butler careers. Will head coach LaVall Jordan and Co. be able to tap into the potential of some of the youngsters? It will be interesting to see.