Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: 3 keys to success against Ole Miss in 2018-19

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 16: Head coach Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 16: Fowler of the Butler Bulldogs sits in the huddle. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 16: Fowler of the Butler Bulldogs sits in the huddle. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. Feed the paint consistently

Despite losing the consistent big man presence of Tyler Wideman to graduation this offseason, Butler’s post play has been absolutely superb through two games. Regardless of whether Nate Fowler or Joey Brunk is the one on the court for the Dawgs, they seem to always have a legitimate threat to score. And considering both players have the potential to knock down jumpers as well as finish on the block, they are dangerous big men in the PnR or PnP with Butler’s guards.

Through two games, this platoon at center for Butler is combining to average 23.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 blocks per game. Fowler and Brunk are also shooting a combined 16-for-18 (88.9%) from the field and 14-for-17 (82.4%) from the free throw line. Through two games, the Dawgs have not played a single minute without one of these two on the floor (they also have not played together).

In regards to this upcoming matchup, Butler should once again be able to feed their big men inside. Ole Miss (and new head coach Kermit Davis) traditionally utilizes a man-to-man defense and the Dawgs should be able to exploit this by using post feeds and attacking through the pick-and-roll. Additionally, the Rebels deploy only one big man over 6-foot-8.

And while Dominik Olejniczak is a true 7-footer who could cause problems for the Dawgs at times, he cannot play all 40 minutes and therefore Brunk (6-foot-11) and Fowler (6-foot-10) will likely have a size advantage for plenty of minutes.