Busting Brackets
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Butler Basketball: 2020-21 season preview for the Bulldogs

By Drew Schmelzer

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 30: A general view of a Butler Bulldogs flag seen during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 30, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 30: A general view of a Butler Bulldogs flag seen during the game against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Hinkle Fieldhouse on January 30, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Dec 21, 2019; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Butler Bulldogs forward Christian David Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2019; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Butler Bulldogs forward Christian David Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Key Reserves

This could be scary for Butler fans, but it’s very possible these guys only go eight-deep, and two of the key players off the bench are probably going to be freshmen. That’s ok, though, the starting lineup is strong, but disciplined defense without fouling is going to have to be a major priority for Jordan and his staff.

That’s not to say that there are not viable options coming off the bench, however.

Guard/Forward – Christian David (2.6 Pts, 1.8 Reb, 0.6 Ast), Senior

David’s a nice player. He has proven to be a decent glue guy for Butler in his first three seasons, but they really need him to step up as a senior. He is better known for his defense, but was making strides in 2019-20 offensively, and even hit a game-winning 3-point shot against St. Johns early in the conference season.

A torn ACL prematurely ended his junior year and halted the momentum David had started to build towards being a key contributor. As of early October, he has still not been cleared for basketball activities. The Bulldogs need David healthy, so the season being pushed to a Thanksgiving start date is an advantage in this case.

Point Guard – Myles Tate, Freshman

This guy is a winner and he has four consecutive South Carolina High School State Championship rings to prove it at Dorman (Roebuck, SC). The 6’0 guard is also the high school power houses’ all-time leading scorer and he is used to playing alongside Division I talent as he played in the same starting lineup as Clemson recruit PJ Hall.

Tate, a top-150 recruit is a culture fit at Butler, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him play around 20 minutes a game spelling both Thompson and Harris.

Power Forward – JaKobe Coles, Freshman

Another top 150 recruit in Jordan’s freshman class brings something the Butler desperately needed: A big man off the bench that can handle the grind and physicality of the Big East immediately, and that is something JaKobe Coles will be able to do.

He’s not a project, already can make shots outside of 10 feet and will be an adequate substitution for both Nze and Golden in spurts, something that current backup center John Michael Mulloy has not proven to be able to do. Coles scored 18.5 points and grabbed 8.5 rebounds as a senior and turned down both Colorado and Minnesota to be a Bulldog.

Other Potential Key Reserves

Markeese Hastings (1.0 Pts, 1.1 Reb, 0.0 Ast), Sophomore

John Michael Mulloy (0.6 Pts, 1.2 Reb, 0.1 Ast), Sophomore

Myles Wilmoth, Freshman

Mike Parker, Sophomore Transfer