Butler Basketball: Keys to success against Florida in 2018-19

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 26: Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs celebrates defeating the Florida Gators 74 to 71 in overtime by cuttin down part of the ner during the Southeast regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at New Orleans Arena on March 26, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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

3. Move the ball offensively.

One of Butler’s biggest strengths on the offensive end of the floor is 3-point shooting. With Jorgensen, Sean McDermott, and Tucker (among others) roaming the perimeter, this is a team with a ton of threats from beyond the arc. So far this season, the Dawgs are shooting 38.1% from beyond the arc, a mark that ranks in the top-50 nationally. With this said, though, the shooters on the team are at their best in catch-and-shoot situations either running off screens or from the inside-out. Because of this, the key to finding and hitting open looks from three is quality ball movement and communication on the offensive end.

To me, this starts with point guard Aaron Thompson, who is one of the most underrated creators in the nation in addition to his superb defense. He might not be a huge scoring threat but he probes incredibly well and consistently finds the open man either at the rim or beyond the arc. To this point in the year, AT is averaging 4.8 assists (to 2.3 turnovers) per game. If he is able to stay on the floor (fouled out late against UF last time), then Butler will have a strong chance of pulling out this tough road game.

Thompson is the primary creator for Butler this season and it will be up to him to keep the ball moving against Florida’s tenacious defense. If he is able to break the halfcourt pressure of the Gators, draw defenders inside, and find the open man, Butler should find open looks. It will then be up to the shooters to fill up the basket.

Next. Bracketology Projected Field of 68. dark

Even though Florida has not been incredible to start this season, it is never easy to win in Gainesville. Butler basketball is seemingly hitting its stride and a win here would give the team some huge momentum heading into Big East play. When it is all said and done, though, I think that the Gators will see some shots fall in their home arena and they will exact revenge on the Dawgs for the result at the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Final Prediction: Florida Gators – 68, Butler Bulldogs – 65.