3. Score in transition
Butler has some of the best defensive guards in the nation. Most notably, Aaron Thompson and Kamar Baldwin are well-known as tenacious defenders on the perimeter. Both players do a superb job locking down scorers and forcing them into tough shots with their physicality and quick hands. With these two on the floor, opponents have an incredibly difficult time finding high-quality looks off the dribble.
Additionally, though, Paul Jorgensen and Henry Baddley are two more highly-capable defensive guards. A bit more opportunistic with their defense, these two have the innate ability to plug passing lanes and create turnovers. With these four leading the way, Butler basketball ranks 42nd in the nation in defensive turnover rate. This means that opponents are turning the ball over on 22.4% of possessions against the Dawgs.
This does not bode well for Brown.
To this point in the year, the Bears have struggled tremendously in terms of taking care of possessions. They are a team that relies heavily on quality ball movement to create open shots and this can lead to tipped passes, miscommunications, and steals. Brown, though seven games, ranks 50th-worst in the nation in offensive turnover rate as they give the ball away on over one-fifth of their possessions.
Having said this, Butler basketball’s best offense this year starts with its defense. If the Dawgs are able to consistently force turnovers and finish in transition either at the rim or from distance, they will this game going away.
Butler basketball should come out in this matchup with something to prove. Even though it turned out to just be a single-digit loss, the Bulldogs played an extremely ugly game against Saint Louis. Can the offense figure it out in this game as conference play draws closer? I expect that the Dawgs will come out of the gates firing in this one to prove to their home crowd, who they have not played in front of in nearly three weeks, that they are a darn good basketball team.
Final Prediction: Butler Bulldogs: 74 — Brown Bears: 56.