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

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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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 20: Thompson #2 of the Bulldogs dribbles. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Projected rotation

Heading into this coming season, Aaron Thompson and Kamar Baldwin are the only “locks” in the starting lineup. The two guards are entering their third year as the backcourt duo in Indianapolis and they are definitely going to reprise their roles. Sean McDermott and Jordan Tucker are then safe bets to play their share of minutes although it is possible that only one of them takes up a starting spot. This is due to the fact that Coach Jordan could elect to start an Nze/Smits frontcourt from the opening day to improve the size in the rotation.

With that said, though, I am an advocate for starting (and finishing) with the best five-man lineup possible. In my opinion, that includes both McDermott and Tucker as perimeter threats. And considering there could be some defensive struggles with both of them on the court, that lineup should be rounded off by Nze, the team’s best defensive big man.

This starting lineup would feature a playmaking guard (AT), the team’s star (KB), two perimeter threats (McD/J-Tucks), and a rebounding/defending big (Nze).

Projected Rotation

Point Guard: Thompson (26), Baldwin (14)

Shooting Guard: Baldwin (20), Baddley (15), Battle (5)

Small Foward: McDermott (25), Battle (15)

Power Forward: Tucker (25), David (10), Nze (5)

Center: Nze (20), Smits (10), Golden (10)

Total Minutes Breakdown: Baldwin (34), Thompson (26), Tucker (25), Nze (25), McDermott (25), Battle (20), Baddley (15), David (10), Smits (10), and Golden (10).

Having already discussed the starting lineup, let’s talk about Butler’s reserves. On the wings, I think that the rotation is fairly simple. Baddley and Battle should combine to play >30 minutes per game behind Baldwin and McDermott. They should both be solid options as 3-and-D wings right away with Battle also boasting the potential to push for a starting spot as the season progresses. I am confident that Butler’s backcourt will be a strength this season on both ends of the floor.

In the frontcourt, though, things are a bit trickier. I am expecting that David also reprises a role similar to last year and that Smits/Golden split the remaining minutes at center. While it is possible to play a 10-man rotation early in the season, I would expect that the coaching staff trims that based on matchups and performance. The backcourt/wings all seem pretty set with players who should be locks for minutes; I am intrigued to see what happens with David, Smits, and Golden because that rotation will shift based on how each performs.