NCAA Basketball: ACC struggles, Gonzaga dropping, and more takeaways

7) Butler is a legitimate top 5 team

Butler doesn’t get talked about enough for their 13-1 start, but this Bulldogs team continues to prove they’re legitimate every game. And, right now, they’re playing like one of the five best teams in the country.

The Bulldogs have more Quad 1 and Quad 2 wins than anyone else, showing just how strong their resume is. They’ve beaten Missouri, Stanford, Purdue, and St. John’s all away from home while knocking off Minnesota, Florida, and Creighton at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

That win over the Bluejays on Saturday showcased their biggest improvement and now strength – their defense.

Butler currently ranks fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency after ranking 123rd in that category a year ago. They’ve held all of their opponents to 67 points or less and only one (Stanford) scored more than 62. In the first half, they held Creighton to their fewest points of any half this season (24).

That, compiled with that has now become a balanced offense, has made Butler incredibly tough to beat. Kamar Baldwin is still they star and they need him to produce for them to be their best, but they’ve also won every game in which he failed to score double digits.

This balance was also on display against Creighton. Baldwin did not score in the first half and went 0/9 from the field but their supporting cast – and defense – had Butler comfortably in front. Baldwin then carried them home with 20 points in the second half.

Butler is a 53-52 road loss to Baylor away from being undefeated and, if they had won that game, the conversation around them would be much different. It’s time to start giving them their due as one of the nation’s very best teams.