Busting Brackets
Fansided

Butler Basketball: Previewing Bryce Nze’s impact for 2019-20

By Lukas Harkins

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 14: The Butler Bulldogs mascot walks on the court in the game against Purdue Boilermakers during the 2013 Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 14, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 14: The Butler Bulldogs mascot walks on the court in the game against Purdue Boilermakers during the 2013 Crossroads Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 14, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: The Butler Bulldogs band performs.
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: The Butler Bulldogs band performs. /

On the offensive end…

Bryce Nze is not a major offensive threat. Even though he averaged 10.3 points per game at Milwaukee two years ago, he collects the majority of his baskets near the hoop. In fact, 75.2% of his total shots that season came either at the rim or as dunk attempts. Of course, these inside scores can be crucial over the course of a season but he is not going to be a go-to offensive weapon for Butler. He does not stretch the floor especially well nor he is a great passer for his position. With that said, though, Nze does quite a few things well as a “glue guy” on the offensive end. This is due to the fact that he understands his role on the team and revels in being a star at his tasks.

Nze sets strong screens, can finish above the rim, draws contact inside, and is an exceptional offensive rebounder. In fact, of players listed at 6-foot-7 and taller, Nze ranked 4th in offensive rebounding rate as a freshman (16.8%) and 97th as a sophomore (11.6%). This decrease in rate can largely be attributed to an increase in minutes but those two numbers are both superb. As a result of his physicality down low, Nze picks up his fair share of second-chance buckets. Considering Butler ranked 259th in the country in offensive rebounding rate last season, Nze’s impact in that regard should be noticed and his easy buckets will also improve the team’s overall offensive efficiency.

Furthermore, Butler ranked 330th nationally in FTA/FGA rate last season and Nze draws his fair share of fouls. Of course, he is only a 44.9% career free-throw shooter to this point, but it is reasonable to expect that to rise this season. Nze has been focused and consistently working with the coaching staff on his foul shot for the past year and this is the same staff that pushed Tyler Wideman from a career 58.7% FT shooter over three seasons to 82.0% as a senior. Butler’s coaching staff has a solid track record with developing free throw shooters and Nze is a hard-worker.