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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: David #25 of Butler defends. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 02: David #25 of Butler defends. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Forwards

Jordan Tucker (JR): 9.7 ppg (.358/.370/.826), 4.1 rpg, 0.8 apg

Jordan Tucker might be the biggest key to Butler’s entire season. Everybody knows that Baldwin is going to get his buckets, but somebody else needs to step up as a big-time scorer. With an athletic 6-foot-7 frame and the ability to fill it up from anywhere on the court, Tucker is the logical choice to be the secondary scoring option for the team this season. Even though he is listed as a junior, this will be Tucker’s first full year of college ball and he could excel. Tucker suffered through some obvious growing pains last season particularly as a finisher, but his ceiling is still quite high.

It is also important to mention that Tucker does not lack confidence. He knows that he is an exceptionally talented scorer and this could be the season where the numbers reflect that. It might be asking a lot for J-Tucks to raise his scoring and his efficiency, but I think that will occur now that he has a half-season of college ball under his belt. Tucker is a player that could significantly raise Butler’s ceiling if he posts 15+ points per game.

Christian David (JR): 1.8 ppg (.392/.231/.588), 2.0 rpg, 0.5 bpg

Christian David is an interesting case. Although he has struggled offensively through two seasons, he has shown tremendous flashes on the defensive end as a small-ball power forward. He is listed at just 6-foot-6, but does a great job defending opposing bigs and exhibited a team-high 5.0% block rate last season. Considering Butler’s deficiencies with regards to rim-protection, David’s defensive abilities around the basket should not go unnoticed. But, until he shows the ability to make an impact offensively, he could be stuck at ~10 minutes per game.

With that said, though, the potential is there for David to emerge as a major rotation piece. Through his first two years with the program, it seems as though confidence has been his biggest issue. He has the size and athleticism needed to be a solid offensive player but needs to put it together to take the next step. Also, his free throw shooting definitely needs to improve. With his defensive abilities, David could be a candidate for late-game minutes when Butler is in front; that will be impossible if he is still a liability at the stripe.

Markees Hastings (FR): Redshirted last season – No. 480 recruit

An under-the-radar prospect out of high school, Markeese Hastings redshirted during this past season due to injury and lack of an obvious role. A highly-athletic 6-foot-7 forward, Hastings projects as a potentially impactful player at some point for the Dawgs due to his abilities as a defender. With his size and quickness, Hastings can defend both inside and out, making him a versatile candidate for minutes. But, considering the experience on Butler’s roster for this coming season, it does not seem likely that Hastings will secure a role.

Even though Hastings might not be a major contributor during this coming season, his development is key for the future of the program. He is off to a great start with his defensive versatility but there are places to grow with his game. Considering we are yet to see him at the college level, it is impossible to say exactly who he is as a player right now. Because of that, it is also difficult to gauge a potential role.

Mike Parker (WO-FR): New addition as a walk-on. Used last season as RS.

Mike Parker is a recent addition to the roster as a walk-on. He is a 6-foot-6 forward originally from North Carolina. You can find more out his background before heading to Butler here.