Butler Basketball: Keys to success in vital road matchup with DePaul

1. Be aggressive on the glass

This is perhaps the most important key to success for Butler in this matchup. Throughout the first two months of the season, the Dawgs have struggled quite a bit on the glass, both offensive and defense, and they will need to do a better job boxing out and skying for missing in this one. This is due to the fact that DePaul, despite several flaws, is one of the best rebounding teams in the nation. For reference, the Blue Demons are statistically ranked in the top-100 in both defensive (77.4% – 7th) and offensive rebounding percentage (31.7% – 81st).

With Strus, Paul Reed, and Jaylen Butz attacking the glass, this is a team that tenaciously fights for rebounds on both ends of the floor. This often leads to an advantage in total opportunities to score that the Blue Demons can take advantage of. Because of this, every Butler player needs to be to ready to find a body on each shot attempt. Even though DePaul’s rotation features just seven major contributors, they boast much more size than Butler at just about every position. In fact, five of those seven Blue Demons are listed at 6-foot-6 or taller. This is why Butler’s undersized forwards will need to play bigger than their height.

Even with a strong performance boxing out in the paint, Butler may still be outrebounded by DePaul in this matchup. With that said, though, limiting the Blue Demons second-chance opportunities should pay dividends throughout the game. If the Dawgs are able to force the Blue Demons out of the paint and into deep attempts or one-shot possessions, the game will start to trend in their direction.