Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: Analyzing the 2019-20 roster and projected rotation

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 15: Butler Bulldogs players react from the bench against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half of the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana won 71-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 15: Butler Bulldogs players react from the bench against the Indiana Hoosiers in the second half of the Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Indiana won 71-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 02: Baddley #20 of the Bulldogs drives. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 02: Baddley #20 of the Bulldogs drives. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Wings

Sean McDermott (SR): 9.5 ppg (.442/.406/.811), 3.9 rpg, 0.5 apg

One of the top perimeter shooters in the entire country, Sean McDermott needs to take the next step with his game during this coming season. He has shown flashes of being able to create for himself off the bounce throughout his career but has yet to do so with consistency. If he is able to improve his abilities when attacking closeouts, then that will make him a more dangerous offensive threat. Additionally, there is room for improvement on the defensive end, although that might be remedied by allowing him to mostly play as a wing rather than a forward this season.

Regardless, his 3-point shooting is an elite skill that helps spread the floor for the entire offense. Aside from a wacky 10-for-36 stretch near the end of last season, McDermott had shot 44.1% from 3-point range on the year. He is easily one of the best snipers in the land and it would make sense to draw up more plays to create looks for the senior. McDermott eclipsing the double-digit per game scoring mark this season is not only possible but might be necessary for the team to be successful.

Henry Baddley (SR): 4.4 ppg (.421/.300/.778), 2.3 rpg, 0.8 spg

Henry Baddley has been a key reserve for Butler throughout his career. Even though he has never emerged as a star and has only ever started six games, he can contribute in a few different ways off the bench. While his 3-point percentage certainly dipped during this past campaign, he is still a relatively solid threat from beyond the arc and he can get to the basket on occasion as well. On the defensive end of the floor, he is a long athlete with the ability to disrupt plays. Baddley also brings his fair share of energy to the court as he sprints around screens defensively and chases after loose balls.

Heading into his final campaign with the program, it is reasonable to assume that Baddley will reprise his role as a wing reserve. He has averaged ~15 minutes per game in each of the past two seasons and that should continue. The keys to a strong campaign from Baddley will be continued defensive effort and a 3-point shooting resurgence. If he can be a reliable threat from three, his value when on the court skyrockets.

Khalif Battle (FR): Ranked as the No. 94 overall recruit

Rated as one of the top high school commits in program history, the bar is high for Khalif Battle. An elite threat on both ends of the floor with an insanely high ceiling, Battle should be ready to contribute from Day 1 with the program. He is one of the best shooters in the entire 2019 class, has lockdown potential as a defender, and is incredibly bouncy. Considering his athleticism and shooting prowess, Battle is a perfect fit on the wing in the modern game. At 6-foot-5, he brings enough size to the table and is already quite muscular. His finishing is also highly underrated as he is able to make some acrobatic attempts around the rim.

While I am always wary of placing high expectations on a freshman, Battle has the potential to be a major impact player right away. He adds some much-needed athleticism to the roster and also fills the 3-point shooting hole left by Paul Jorgensen (graduation). Considering Battle is one of the two newcomers expected to join the roster this season, his play could be a major difference-maker in pushing the Dawgs to exceed their preseason ranking. He is talented enough to make it happen, but it is never easy for a freshman to immediately make big-time plays.