Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: Takeaways from Gavitt Games victory over Minnesota

By Lukas Harkins

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 20: Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs attempts a shot while being guarded by Sacar Anim #2 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on February 20, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - FEBRUARY 20: Kamar Baldwin #3 of the Butler Bulldogs attempts a shot while being guarded by Sacar Anim #2 of the Marquette Golden Eagles in the first half at the Fiserv Forum on February 20, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 02: Coach Jordan of Butler instructs. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH – JANUARY 02: Coach Jordan of Butler instructs. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

1. Physicality stands out on both ends.

Arguably Butler’s biggest flaw last season was a lack of physicality in the frontcourt. Neither Joey Brunk nor Nate Fowler (the two bigs) offered a ton of resistance in the paint on either end of the court and it killed the team. The Dawgs were constantly outrebounded and Aaron Thompson definitely lacked a pick-and-roll partner. Even though Minnesota’s Daniel Oturu was tremendous inside in this game, it was evident that the Dawgs’ frontcourt is ready to physically compete with just about anyone in the country.

Most notably, Bryce Nze is a stud. I loved Nze’s game when he was at Milwaukee and thought his play would translate well to the Big East level but there were reasonable concerns about his jump in competition. Through his first three games as a Dawg, it is fair to say that Nze is exactly what this team needed. He is a versatile undersized big man with the ability to impact each and every game in a big way. Nze sets strong screens, hustles underneath, never backs down from a challenge, and is absolutely superb with regard to defending the pick-and-roll (a *monster* weakness of Butler last season).

Nze is a true difference-maker on both ends of the floor for Butler and there are not enough words to describe his performance through the first three games. I had high hopes for the 6-foot-7 forward but if he continues to play at this level, he will shatter even those expectations. He is currently averaging 13.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting nearly 60% from the field. His free throw shooting (50%) will need to improve but his form is significantly better from when he was at Milwaukee.

Bryce Golden is also worth mentioning in this physicality section. Although he continues to struggle with regard to fouling (more on that in a bit), Golden clearly plays with a ton of energy on the court. He is still learning the ropes a bit as a sophomore and has been thrown into the fire as a starter for Coach Jordan in the absence of Derrik Smits (injury). If Golden can learn to harness his aggression and pick his spots of physicality a bit better, he will be a major impact player down the road.

Golden was not particularly great against Daniel Oturu and Minnesota but this game could prove to be a major learning experience for the young big. He played 19 minutes and contributed four points, three rebounds, and two steals. He should continue playing a major role with Smits out due to injury and should grow as a result. Even with his current struggles, Golden is a massive physicality upgrade over the likes of Brunk/Fowler at the center spot.

Butler struggled to draw fouls last season as a byproduct of their lack of physicality. Against Minnesota, though, the Dawgs forced the Gophers into 25 fouls and it led to holding an advantage down the stretch. Additionally, Butler was aggressive defensively while forcing 18 turnovers. Those are two statistics to continue monitoring moving forward.