Butler Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Bulldogs

The Bulldogs enter year three of the Thad Matta era looking to reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2018. Butler is coming off an 18-15 (9-11 Big East) season that earned the Bulldogs an NIT bid. Butler is returning several of their key contributors from last year's team in addition to making several additions in the transfer portal.

Butler is set to bring back their top two scorers from last year's team in guard Pierre Brooks and forward Jahmyl Telfort, who will both look to further improve off their strong showings last season. Additionally, other contributors including guards Finley Bizjack and Landon Moore, forwards Boden Kapke, Augusto Cassia big man Andre Screen are all set to return to Butler this year. The Bulldogs have also added some new faces in the transfer portal, including guards Kolby King and Jamie Kaiser Jr and forward Patrick McCaffery. Several freshmen will also be joining the Bulldogs this year, including guards Evan Haywood, Ryder Cate, and Connor O'Guinn, and forward Colt Langdon.

Last season saw Butler win the most regular season and Big East games since the 2019-20 season. It also marked their first above .500 since that aforementioned season. Butler did suffer a few key losses in the transfer portal, most notably guards Posh Alexander and DJ Davis, but did still manage to return three starters and brought in several quality pieces through the portal.

The Big East coaches poll saw the Bulldogs picked to finish 8th in the conference, the same position which they finished last season. Much like last year, the Big East will be a gauntlet, and every conference game will be critical as to where the Bulldogs stand come March. That being said, Butler will be among the most experienced teams in the Big East this year in terms of total minutes played, and that has the potential to benefit Butler down the stretch and makes them a potential sleeper this year.