The Butler Bulldogs have only lost a total of ten games during the first two years under coach Brad Stevens. An average of only five losses a season could be even more impressive if Butler keeps it up for a third straight year – something that is entirely possible since the Bulldogs will see the return of the entire team which was seeded ninth in last season's NCAA Tournament.
Starters Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored were big surprises for Butler last year, as nobody truly expected the freshmen to step in and contribute as soon as they did. Mack is the more dynamic scorer of the pair, having averaged 12 points per game, while being second on the team with 2 three-pointers a game. Additionally, Mack also handed out more than 3 assists while snagging over 4 rebounds per game. Nored started all 32 games, and while not the scorer that Mack is, he is a solid ball handler who will continue to get better with time. The most experienced Bulldog of the backcourt is senior Willie Veasley, a versatile 6-3 defensive specialist who also averaged 9 points and over 4 rebounds last season.
If you count Gordon Hayward as a frontcourt player, then Butler has two superstars there. The 6-9 wing was yet another freshman who surpassed expectations with 13 points and 6 rebounds per game, while proving to be an excellent outside shooter. It was Hayward's presence which made things much easier for Matt Howard, the Horizon League's Newcomer of the Year two years ago and Player of the Year last season, when he led the team with nearly 15 points, 7 rebounds, and almost 2 blocks per contest. Look for Howard to be Butler's go-to guy once again, but also do not be surprised if that changes as the other Bulldogs continue to gain experience.
With nine players back who averaged ten minutes or more per game for Butler, it may be difficult for the newcomers to make much of an immediate impact. However, the Bulldogs could always use more size, which is something that should be provided by Andrew Smith and Emerson Kampen. Smith, a true freshman, is 6-11 and 239 pounds, making him the biggest player on the team, and Kampen, a walk-on who turned down scholarship offers from other schools, is 6-9. Another newcomer is redshirt guard Chase Stigall who could be a steady contributor in the near future as well.
