Butler Basketball: Keys to success against Indiana in 2018-19
1. Slow the game down.
The pace of this game will be extremely important. While Butler is a team that can play fast, they are at their best when able to grind out games on the defensive end of the floor and deliberately look for the right shot offensively. Indiana, on the other hand, looks to consistently get out in transition and play at a fast pace. Statistically, the Bulldogs average 66.8 possessions per game (310th nationally) while the Hoosiers play at 71.2 possessions per contest (124th).
In order for Butler to slow this game down to their preferred pace, the backcourt will need to set the tone on both ends of the floor. Aaron Thompson and Kamar Baldwin, most notably, are elite perimeter defenders and high-quality playmakers on the offensive end. By extending off-ball defensive intensity, the Dawgs can prevent IU from making easy passes that speed up their offense. Butler’s guards are tenacious when guarding the ball or running around screens and will make life difficult for IU’s playmakers on the perimeter.
On the offensive end, both Baldwin and Thompson are superb at probing defenses and creating for others. For the most part, they play within their limits and at their own pace. In order to maintain a pace that favors the Dawgs, the two guards will need to operate with deliberation in their moves. Strong decision making and accurate passes will help Butler’s offense move crisply and find good shots to set the tone of this matchup.
And even though this is technically a neutral-site matchup, I have been at the last three Crossroads Classics and IU typically takes up the highest percentage of the crowd. If the Dawgs give up an early lead to the Hoosiers, Bankers Life Fieldhouse will become a hostile environment.