NCAA Basketball: Ranking the 10 matchups in 2020-21 Big 12/Big East Challenge
9. Kansas State at Butler
After finishing last in the Big 12, Kansas State could possibly be even worse next year. Leading scorer Xavier Sneed and top rebounder Makol Mawien have graduated, while top guard Cartier Diarra transferred to Virginia Tech this offseason. And even backup point guard David Sloan elected to leave for East Tennessee State. That leaves no one coming back who averaged more than 7.0 ppg.
Rising sophomores Dajuan Gordon, Antonio Gordon and Montavious Murphy will have a ton of pressure to produce huge next year if the Wildcats have any hope of being competitive. The incoming top-25 recruiting class will also have to have a huge incoming impact, led by four-star point guard Nigel Pack.
Butler also doesn’t have any returning double-digit scorers, with both Kamar Baldwin and Sean McDermott having graduated. But they’re in better shape than Kansas State in terms of who’s returning, with Bryce Nze, Aaron Thompson and Bryce Golden all coming back. Junior Jordan Tucker could also return but the word is that he’ll be going pro this offseason.
The Bulldogs have a solid group of newcomers, including four prospects ranked in the top-200 overall, along with South Carolina grad transfer Jair Bolden (8.5 ppg). Their projected roster is one of solid depth but absent of a star-caliber player who can average 15+ ppg.
Neither team has a current star but Butler’s depth is currently far superior to the Wildcats. Between the lack of star power, this won’t be a game many neutral observers will have the interest to watch. And with the Bulldogs at home, I don’t see this as a close contest.