Butler Basketball: Keys to success at home against Creighton in 2018-19

Start. Out. Hot.

Butler absolutely needs to come out of the locker room with energy in this matchup. The Dawgs have fallen behind by double-digits in the first 10 minutes in each of their past two games and that definitely needs to change in this one. Even though this team is quite talented, they simply cannot rely on clawing their way back into games throughout conference play if they want to secure an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. And following back-to-back crushing losses, the team needs to come out motivated and out to prove that they are better than their record.

Does this mean coming out with a new starting lineup that features more intensity, perhaps one that includes Henry Baddley (or Jordan Tucker) and Joey Brunk? Maybe but the Dawgs desperately need to avoid falling into an early hole in this matchup. Creighton is the type of team that can light it up from the perimeter and build up an insurmountable lead in a hurry. Butler fans are hungry for a victory and a hot start could be exactly what the team needs to engage their fanbase and ride the energy of the crowd to victory.

Butler will need to do more than just come out with energy in order to win this game but avoiding a slow start is absolutely critical. If the Dawgs are able to run their offense effectively, make defensive stops, and settle into a rhythm early in the game, they will have a good chance of landing their first conference win of the season.