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Butler Basketball: Keys to success at the 2019 Hall of Fame Classic

ByLukas 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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PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 21: The Bulldogs mascot is shown. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MARCH 21: The Bulldogs mascot is shown. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Butler basketball will take its undefeated record to Kansas City during Feast Week for the Hall of Fame Classic. What should the Dawgs prioritize?

Butler basketball has opened the 2019-20 season by exceeding expectations essentially across the board. Head coach LaVall Jordan is seemingly finding his rhythm on the sidelines with a more cohesive roster and is everyone is buying into his team-first scheme. The Dawgs have embraced their defensive identity while also excelling with regard to ball movement on offensively. To put it simply, Butler is outperforming as a result of tremendous discipline on both ends of the floor. Through the first few weeks of the season, the Dawgs hold a 5-0 record and have climbed to the No. 21 spot in KenPom.

With that said, though, Butler is about to embark on its first trip of the year outside of the friendly confines of Hinkle Fieldhouse. As Feast Weeks gets underway, the Dawgs will be traveling west to compete in the Hall of Fame Classic in Kansas City, MO. While there, the team will be tasked with facing back-to-back top-100 opponents at a neutral site. Even though Butler has performed admirably to begin this season, this event (and the ensuing gauntlet of a schedule) should prove to be a strong litmus test for just how successful the team will be this season.

This should be a hard-fought two-day event where Butler could just as easily lose both of their contests as win both. Coach Jordan and Co. will have had two full days off between their last contest, a win over Morehead State, and their opener against Missouri in KC. That might not be a whole lot of time to prepare, but the Dawgs should come out ready to play. Butler appears to be out for revenge after a rough season a year ago and the senior class of Baldwin, McDermott, and Baddley represent great leaders both on and off the court to push the team.

With the opening tip of the Hall of Fame Classic approaching, let’s dive into Butler’s prospects with the usual format: opponent intel, three keys to success, and a pre-tournament edition of Hark’s Bark.