Big East Basketball: 2019-20 preseason power rankings

8. Butler Bulldogs

After hovering around the NCAA Tournament bubble for most of last season, Butler seriously faltered in the final weeks. Not only did the team fall out of Big Dance contention but they ended up recording just the program’s second below-.500 season in the last 14 years at 16-17 (7-11 BE). Looking ahead to this season, though, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

Kamar Baldwin is right at the center of this optimism. The rising senior guard is already regarded as one of the best players in program history and will be asked to lead the team once again this year. As the only true star on the roster last season, Baldwin managed to average 17.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. The key for him this season will be returning to form from 3-point range and receiving more help.

That help should come in the form of Jordan Tucker. The former top-100 recruit finally took the court for the second half of last season due to transfer rules and showed flashes of brilliance. He was quite inconsistent, especially with regards to his finishing around the rim, but Tucker still averaged 9.7 points per game. Now that he actually has collegiate experience under his belt, Tucker could be poised for a major breakout season as a big-time scorer this season.

Additionally, incoming freshman Khalif Battle could be an immediate star. The 6-foot-5 wing comes in ranked at No. 99 in the 2019 class and will be a vital part of the rotation. Battle should be the first player off the bench and could be a dynamic scorer with his fluid 3-point stroke and elite-level athleticism. His potential impact has been heavily underrated this offseason and his addition needs to be noted.

Of course, it is also important to mention that the Bulldogs are returning a pair of other full-time starters from last season in point guard Aaron Thompson and sharpshooting Sean McDermott. Although they won’t be superstar performers, they both excel in particular aspects of the game. Thompson is an elite-level defender while McDermott is one of the top perimeter threats in the country.

On the defensive end of the floor, Butler was absolutely dreadful in the paint last year. The Bulldogs consistently surrendered baskets inside and that will need to change. Nate Fowler and Joey Brunk will no longer be manning the center spot this year and therefore incoming transfers Derrik Smits and Bryce Nze will be ready to shore up that spot. They should represent a massive defensive improvement down low.

Even though Butler is pegged at 8th in these preseason rankings, the team should compete for an NCAA Tournament bid. The Dawgs will be better defensively and there should be more consistent scoring options on the roster. Butler could finish anywhere from 2nd-to-8th in the Big East and I wouldn’t be surprised. That’s how congested the middle of the conference will be this season and there are bound to many ties in the standings.

Butler will be a threat in the conference even if they will not be ranked extremely high in the preseason. Baldwin alone will make them competitive. If Battle/Tucker emerge as stars, watch out.