Butler Basketball: Keys to success against UC-Irvine in 2018-19

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Aaron Thompson #2 of the Butler Bulldogs shoots the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half of the game in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 16: Paul Jorgensen #5 of the Butler Bulldogs reacts. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

2. Get shooters going early.

Butler is a team that, although not completely reliant on the 3-point shot, is at its best when finder open looks from distance. This is due to the fact that the roster features an abundance of potential 3-point threats. Most notably, Sean McDermott has the ability to absolutely light up opponents. Through the first 11 games of this season, the junior forward is 34-for-77 (44.2%) from beyond the arc. Add in the abilities of Paul Jorgensen, Henry Baddley, and the occasional threes from the backcourt duo of Thompson/Baldwin and it is easy to see why this team can be so dangerous.

Now with Jordan Tucker, a highly-touted shooter who is 3-for-6 from deep in two games, in the rotation as well, the Dawgs have added yet another perimeter threat. In the grand scheme of college hoops, it is hard to find another team with as many legitimate shooters from 3-point range as Butler. Head coach LaVall Jordan seemingly always has the luxury of playing 3-4 solid shooters at a time. This creates the high-quality spacing necessary for the big men to operate down low and for the playmaking guards to create for others.

Against UC-Irvine, the Dawgs will hopefully be able to consistently find open looks from distance. For the season, perimeter jumpers make up 43.4% of Butler’s total field goal attempts and they are shooting 37.2% (63rd nationally) on those 3-point attempts. And while the Anteaters have not surrendered a high conversion rate from distance so far this year (34.4% opponent 3P%), they are allowing plenty of good looks. In fact, UC-Irvine is allowing the 141st-highest 3PAr to opponents.

Butler should be able to find its fair share of open looks on the perimeter and this one and will be up to all of the shooters above to capitalize early and often.