Butler Basketball: 2024-25 season preview for the Bulldogs

Projected Starting Lineup

Point Guard: Finley Bizjack Guard

Entering the season, it looked like Bizjack might end up coming off the bench as a key rotation player of the sixth man. However, he now looks set to be a part of Butler's starting five, as he started in the Bulldogs' exhibition game versus Illinois Wesleyan on October 30. Bizjack had a solid year as a true freshman for Butler last year, averaging 4.2 ppg over the course of the year while having several breakout performances in the second half of the year, including a 19 point outing versus Marquette in February. Bizjack initially entered the transfer portal last spring, but ultimately returned to Butler and will likely take on an elevated role as a starter this year.

Shooting Guard: Pierre Brooks

Pierre Brooks is coming off a breakout junior year that saw him lead the Bulldogs in scoring with 14.6 ppg while shooting 40% from beyond the arc. Prior to joining the Bulldogs last year, Brooks spent his first two years at Michigan State, where he had a much more limited role, as he averaged just 3.6 ppg in his 14 minutes per game in his sophomore year. If Brooks can take another step forward this year, he could be in position to make an All-Big East team this year.

Forward/Wing: Jahmyl Telfort

Telfort was the Bulldogs' second-highest scorer last season, averaging 13.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and 3.0 apg in his starting role with the team. Telfort will once again be a key piece for this Bulldogs team, and as an experienced fifth-year senior, expect him to have an impressive year across the board. In a similar manner to Brooks, Telfort could very well be in a position to earn All-Big East honors at the end of the season.

Forward: Patrick McCaffery

McCaffery joins the Bulldogs for his final year of eligibility after spending his first four years at Iowa playing for his father, Hawkeyes head coach Fran McCaffery. Last year, McCaffery averaged 8.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, and 1.6 apg, while shooting 44% from the field. McCaffery was a full-time starter in his sophomore year, however, he has only started in half of the Hawkeyes' games since his sophomore year, and has never averaged over 25 minutes per game in a given year. Nonetheless, McCaffery is in position to have a big role for Butler, and should be in position to find himself in the starting five.

Center: Andre Screen

Andre Screen appears set to make the jump into the starting lineup after having a crucial role off the bench last year for Butler. That being said, Screen looked solid in his 12.9 minutes per game last year, as he averaged 5.2 ppg and 4.5 rpg while shooting an impressive 58% from the field. Standing at 7-0, Screen will bring both size and athleticism to the Bulldogs lineup this year. Given the fact that Screen did not start a game last year, but looked solid in his limited role, Screen has breakout potential this year and could prove to be an X-Factor for Butler's success this year.