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Butler Basketball: 5 keys for a successful 2018-19 campaign

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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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs shouts. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Head coach LaVall Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs shouts. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

With Kamar Baldwin leading the way and a strong supporting cast returning, Butler basketball could be in for another quality campaign in 2018-19.

College basketball season is almost here. Finally. After months of anticipation and growing excitement, practices have started and the countdown is getting closer to zero. And with this being said, it is time to start diving into previewing the upcoming year. With regards to Butler basketball, head coach LaVall Jordan and Co. are facing varying expectations. Kelan Martin and Tyler Wideman are now gone but the rest of the roster is returning from last season, including star guard Kamar Baldwin.

Additionally, Coach Jordan is bringing in one of the most highly-touted transfers in the country in Jordan Tucker (Duke) to go with a couple of frontcourt recruits. On paper, the Bulldogs return more talent and production than just about any other team in the Big East and could compete near the top of the conference. Of course, there are still plenty of questions facing the team considering the major losses of Martin and Wideman.

Because of this, preseason predictions for Butler are varying tremendously. While some are projecting the team to finish as high as second in the league, others have them pegged to finish ninth. Regardless of these projections, though, it is important to mention that this is Butler we are talking about. The Bulldogs have been one of the most consistent programs in the country over the last several years and, despite two key losses, they should compete for an NCAA Tournament bid this season.

In order to ensure that occurring, though, prioritizing these five keys could play a pivotal role.