Butler Basketball: Keys to success against Seton Hall at home

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NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 14: Powell of the Pirates looks on. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3. Send different looks at #13.

It is no secret that Myles Powell is one of the best players in the entire country. An early-season frontrunner for the National Player of the Year award, the senior guard is the engine that drives Seton Hall’s offense. He is an elite-level shot-maker from just about everywhere on the floor and has the ability to erupt at any given moment.

Butler came away with a victory at home over Seton Hall last season but Powell showed that no lead is ever safe. You can be sure that Butler will come in with a defensive gameplan predicated on slowing down Powell considering what he did in this building a season ago.

Powell is averaging 21.5 points per game so far this season in 14 contests. He is an incredibly dangerous offensive threat. There is no easy way to slow down Powell’s offensive game but Butler does feature a few very talented perimeter defenders. Thompson and Baldwin are obviously the most notable as they represent Butler’s starting backcourt but they are not alone.

Senior wing Henry Baddley hasn’t seen much action in recent weeks but is well-known as a harassing defender with the ability to sprint around screens. He excels in face-guarding and one-on-one situations. I would honestly be a tad surprised if Baddley does not see the court for solid minutes in this one to give Thompson/Baldwin a rest from exerting a ton of energy defensively.

Freshman guard Khalif Battle could also be used similarly, though. Battle brings a bit more size to the court at 6-foot-5 and is very athletic. He has seen consistent minutes as Butler’s ninth or tenth man recently and has been steadily improving on the defensive end of the floor.

Even Thompson indicated after one game this season that Battle could develop into one of the best on-ball defenders in program history during his career. While throwing him on Powell for substantial time might be a risk, Battle could see a few minutes here and there to give Powell a different defensive look of size and length.

Seton Hall can definitely win even if Butler shuts down Powell but it would be difficult. (Admittedly, shutting down Powell is also way easier said than done. He is ridiculously good.) The Pirates have played quite well without Sandro Mamukelashvili but they lack a true secondary scorer in his absence. Jared Rhoden might be the other scorer that the Dawgs need to keep their eye on heading into this one. he has been playing well as of late.