Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: Previewing Markeese Hastings’ impact for 2019-20

By Lukas Harkins

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Head coach Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs looks on against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 10: Head coach Jordan of the Butler Bulldogs looks on against the Villanova Wildcats at the Wells Fargo Center on February 10, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 15: Butler Bulldogs players react. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 15: Butler Bulldogs players react. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

On the offensive end…

Before jumping headfirst into this analysis, I want to note that Markeese Hastings likely will not see a ton of playing time this season. For starters, the season is under a month away and he is still working towards full-contact practices. Once he is 100% cleared, the coaching staff will probably slowly get him reacquainted before forcing him onto the court.

It is also important to mention that there are several players that will already be ahead of Hastings in the depth chart on the wing. Kamar Baldwin, Jordan Tucker, Sean McDermott, Christian David, and Henry Baddley are all viable returning options at the wing spots in the rotation while highly-touted recruit Khalif Battle will also see plenty of minutes. Their presences will allow Hastings to avoid rushing back from injury.

With that said, though, Hastings should be an intriguing offensive player when healthy. He brings plenty of size to the wing at 6-foot-7 with a muscular frame. Hastings has worked extensively with Butler’s strength and conditioning staff and he has clearly made strides in that department. He is now a legitimate physical presence and this allows him to potentially bully his way to the basket.

Hastings experienced a massive growth spurt during his freshman year of high school and therefore he possesses a fair amount of guard skills. He is not regarded as a strong perimeter threat but it is reasonable to assume that his offensive game is more well-rounded now that he has practiced during a redshirt season and worked with the coaching staff.

On the whole, Hastings is an all-around offensive talent but definitely needs more refinement. Hastings might not be the most polished scoring threat right now but his ceiling is very high. He is aggressive in attacking the basket and can occasionally knock down perimeter jumpers. It is hard to predict how he will perform right away as an offensive weapon but gauging his year-over-year development is more important as his role will only increase as his career goes on.