Big East Basketball: Way-too-early power rankings for 2021-22 season
team. 472. . . . Bulldogs . 5
2020-21 season record: 10-15 (8-12)
The Bulldogs had just 10 wins last season and had one of the worst offenses in the country. So why am I so high on them coming into 2021-22? That’s because they return the most percentage of production of any team in the Big East, thanks to the extra year given by the NCAA.
Seniors Jair Bolden (10.5 ppg), Bryce Nze (11.4 ppg and 7.7 rpg), Bo Hodges (8.2 ppg), and Aaron Thompson (10.4 ppg and 4.7 apg) all elected to come back for another year. Hodges, a transfer from East Tennessee State, only played just nine games last season, while Thompson, Butler’s leading passer for the past few years, played just 14 games due to injury.
Two other double-digit scorers are back as well, including rising senior forward Bryce Golden and Chuck Harris, the team’s leading scorer from last season. The 6’2 guard was one of the biggest surprises from the Big East, producing 12.9 ppg on 40% shooting from three-point range. He had six games of at least 20 points, including three in the final four games.
The combination of a healthy Thompson and Harris in the backcourt should be really good, also joined by Hodges, Myles Tate, and Bolden. The frontcourt depth with Golden, Nze, JaKobe Coles, and Eastern Michigan grad transfer Ty Groce (15.2 ppg and 6.9 rpg last season) will be strong as well.
The main concern with Butler is the perimeter shooting outside of Harris. If the other guards can shoot it and everyone can stay healthy, this team can compete for an NCAA Tournament berth. While the bevy of seniors will have the attention this offseason, the rising sophomores on this roster will be key to uplifting the Bulldogs in the standings.