Butler Basketball: Breaking down the 2018-19 roster

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Thompson #2 of the Butler Bulldogs passes. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Aaron Thompson

Sophomore | Guard | 6-foot-2 | 185 lbs

2017-18 stats (24.1 mpg): 4.3 ppg, 3.4 apg, 1.1 spg

Now a sophomore, Aaron Thompson looks poised to reprise his role as the starting point guard this season. And although he was not the best scorer in the world a year ago, the 6-foot-2 playmaker impressed me last season if only for the fact that he was a competent and consistent starter on an NCAA Tournament team in his freshman season. Quite simply, he understood his role as a creator and lockdown defender and performed well throughout the season.

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Still, it is important to mention that Thompson has plenty of areas that need improvement heading into Year 2. For starters, he was a liability offensively for much of last season. Although he was a solid playmaker with the ball in his hands, Thompson struggled when forced to play off of the ball due to his lack of shooting ability from distance. Additionally, he turned the ball over a bit more than desirable but that was to be expected out of a first-year player.

As we head into this season, it is reasonable to expect that Thompson will improve across the board, especially offensively. Even if Thompson is not a “deadeye” shooter this year, it would be extremely encouraging to see him attempt more perimeter shots this season at a ~30% clip. Additionally, he will be tasked with creating for shooters much more this year than last, meaning he will be able to play to his strengths.

Projected stats (28 mpg): 5.7 ppg (.421/.276/.634), 4.2 apg, and 1.5 spg.