Another new era begins for Butler and it’s worth wondering if this is the regime that can finally push the Bulldogs back into the national conversation. Thad Matta is out after four years in his second stint leading the Bulldogs, while former player Ronald Nored takes over for his first collegiate head coaching gig. He inherits a program that hasn’t reached the NCAA Tournament since 2018 and hasn’t made many strides recently in the Big East, but it’s at least not a completely empty roster.
Some of these departures really do sting, but Butler at least gets Jalen Jackson and Drayton Jones back as seniors next season, hoping desperately for their leadership. Unfortunately, the coaching chance sure led to a transfer portal influx, losing leading Finley Bizjack to West Virginia and freshman guard Azavier Robinson to UCLA. The Bulldogs also shed talented players like Michael Ajayi, Jamie Kaiser, and Yohan Traore, giving Nored and his new staff plenty of work in these recent months.
There’s an influx of new talent, from freshmen to transfers to international recruits. 4-star shooting guard Herly Brutus is certainly one of the most notably additions but we’re focusing on that transfer class. The Bulldogs grabbed Jordan Ellerbe, who put up great numbers as a freshman at Florida Gulf Coast, and got a decent frontcourt piece in North Dakota State’s Treyson Anderson. Samis Calderon is an international piece who didn’t get much run at Kansas last season but he’s not the only addition who fits that bill.
Eduardo Klafke is a 6-5 guard originally from Brazil who spent his first two collegiate campaigns playing in the SEC for Ole Miss. He was a pure reserve with limited production as a freshman but took a slight step forward last season, putting up 4.6 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while starting a dozen games for the Rebels. That surge notably included a pair of 16-point performances late in SEC play last season.
Butler gives Klafke a significant opportunity and one that he might not have gotten down with the Rebels. His game is certainly taking a step in the right direction and the Bulldogs give him the opportunity to potential start in this backcourt. He’ll still be just a junior and honestly is still adjusting to the college game, but he was showing promise in the SEC and can be a notable weapon in the Big East just the same.
Based on what we’ve seen in this offseason around the country, it’s hard to look at the changes made to this Butler team and expect this team to be part of the Big East race. With that being said, Klafke is looking to elevate his game in a major way and he’s not the only new piece looking to make that kind of a leap. Even with great talent, Butler just hasn’t had the right formula in recent years. Can Klafke and this new crew change that trajectory?
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