Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: Takeaways from statement win over Florida

By Lukas Harkins

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 26: Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs holds a stuffed animal bulldog eating a gator as he celebrates after they defeated the Florida Gators 74 to 71 during the Southeast regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at New Orleans Arena on March 26, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 26: Shelvin Mack #1 of the Butler Bulldogs holds a stuffed animal bulldog eating a gator as he celebrates after they defeated the Florida Gators 74 to 71 during the Southeast regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at New Orleans Arena on March 26, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Thompson of the Bulldogs passes. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – FEBRUARY 10: Thompson of the Bulldogs passes. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

1. Everyone has bought in.

Butler’s ball movement has been tremendous throughout this season but it was on full display against Florida. While playing in front of the Hinkle faithful, the Dawgs showcased their ability to work as a unit to seek the best possible shot on each opportunity. They swung the ball side-to-side on seemingly every single possession and consistently made Florida’s defense stay disciplined for the majority of the shot-clock.

Over the course of the contest, Butler dished out 19 assists on 25 total made field goals. That is an absolutely ridiculous rate of distributing the ball for quality shot attempts. After fans watched the “Kamar Baldwin Show” carry Butler in its last two games (and rightfully so), the Dawgs displayed their balance in this one as he was sidelined for 10 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. Seemingly the entire roster stepped up in his absence as they worked as a unit to score at the rim off of back-cuts or on open looks from distance.

While the team definitely played well offensively in the first 20 minutes while splashing home six 3-pointers, the second half was an incredible display of scoring efficiency. In the second half alone, the Dawgs recorded assists on 11 of their 14 made shots (seven different players made a field goal) while turning the ball over just three times. On a night when Baldwin struggled due to foul trouble and Florida’s effective defensive strategy, other players stepped up.

Most notably, Aaron Thompson took center stage. The junior point guard has been tremendous to begin this season as a vocal two-way leader for the team, but this was arguably his best collegiate performance ever. Thompson played 33 minutes in the win and recorded 16 points (6-for-7 FG), four rebounds, and seven assists without committing a turnover. He guided the team offensively with his consistent probing and dishing, as per usual, but really excelled off back-cuts to take advantage of Florida’s defensive weaknesses.