Butler basketball returns a veteran frontcourt but will needs its guards to perform well in the always challenging Big East.
The tradition continues! CBB Review is again ranking the top 100 teams heading into the new college basketball season. Each day, we will reveal the next team until we reach the team slotted at number one. Up next: Butler basketball.
The Bulldogs improved slightly in year two of Thad Matta, going 18-15 after just winning 14 games the year prior. This season, they’ll have the challenge of losing two double-digit scorers, including playmaker and defensive standout Posh Alexander. However, Matta brings back a few starters in the frontcourt and Tulane transfer Kolby King, who should help boost the backcourt.
While Butler didn’t ace the transfer portal, they also brought in Patrick McCaffery and Jamie Kaiser, which does strengthen the depth they’ll have at forward. It’s also a fairly experienced team, with six upperclassmen that should play the biggest roles.
Still, Butler will have to prove why they should be considered as a top team in the Big East. They faded off toward the end of last season, losing 8 of their last 11 games. This season, it will be about putting together a full five-month campaign, especially in a make-or-break year for Matta.
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Head coach: Thad Matta (3rd season at Butler, 20th season overall)
2023-24 record: 18-15 (9-11)
2024 postseason finish: Lost to Minnesota (73-72) in first round of NIT
Notable departures:
- DJ Davis (13.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 35.1 3P%)
- Posh Alexander (11.3 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.6 RPG, 2.2 SPG)
- Jalen Thomas (7.7 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 1.2 BPG, 55.7 FG%)
Notable non-conference games:
- vs. SMU (Nov. 15)
- vs. Northwestern (Nov. 28 in Tempe, AZ)
- vs. Mississippi State OR UNLV (Nov. 29 in Tempe, AZ)
- at Houston (Dec. 7)
Projected Rotation
PG: Kolby King (6-2, 170, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 10.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, 1.4 SPG, 37.9 3P% (Tulane)
SG: Landon Moore (6-3, 200, Jr.)
2023-24 stats: 3.8 PPG, 1.3 APG, 1.3 RPG, 37.3 3P%
SF: Pierre Brooks II (6-6, 225, Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 14.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 40.6 3P%
PF: Jahmyl Telfort (6-7, 220, Gr.-Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 13.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 SPG)
C: Andre Screen (7-1, 231, Gr.-Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 5.2 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 0.4 APG, 58.0 FG%
6: Patrick McCaffery (6-9, 200, Rs.-Gr.-Sr.)
2023-24 stats: 8.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 1.2 APG (Iowa)
7: Finley Bizjack (6-4, 195, So.)
2023-24 stats: 4.2 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.9 APG
8: Jamie Kaiser (6-6, 205, So.)
2023-24 stats: 4.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.2 APG, 1.0 SPG (Maryland)
9: Boden Kapke (6-11, 255, So.)
2023-24 stats: 2.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 0.3 APG, 41.2 3P% (7-17)
10: Evan Haywood (6-4, 180, Fr.)
247Sports Composite #284 ranked recruit
Butler Basketball team MVP: Pierre Brooks II
Brooks has one of the most unique games in the entire Big East. At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, he has the size to battle with forwards, but often plays outside in. Defenders must respect his three-point size, but his strength allows him to find his way into the paint. While most people Brooks’ size will tend to try and overpower players down low, he’ll often opt for the floater, showing his touch around the hoop.
While I list Brooks as a forward, it’s important to note his ability to bring the ball up and dribble in the halfcourt. Is he Shelvin Mack 2.0? Absolutely not, but Brooks has such a well-rounded game, you have to respect him as if he’s a point guard and a power forward.
Sometimes it’s all about the system you play in. Brooks didn’t work out at Michigan State but the former highly rated recruit clearly found a home in Butler.
Butler Basketball make-or-break player: Kolby King
For Butler to be successful, they’ll need to have some questions answered in the backcourt. I don’t think it’s fair to place huge expectations on Landon Moore or Finley Bizjack. Both players saw the court as underclassmen, but combined for one start last season.
Instead, I’m looking at King, who started his career at St. John’s and transferred to Tulane where he enjoyed a stellar sophomore season. Now he’s back in the Big East and this time looking to help facilitate in a Butler basketball backcourt that will try and replace Posh Alexander.
Key analytic: FT%
I’ll say this about Butler. While their offense won’t exactly get you out of your seat, they sure knew how to make the most of their trips to the charity stripe. For a team that rarely got to the line (316th in college basketball last season), they were lights out when they did get there (8th in the country).
Unfortunately, there’s a good chance those numbers drop – a lot. Davis and Telfort were their top free throw shooters, and they’re not on Butler’s roster next season.
But stick around for the good news! Everyone besides Screen and Brooks shot at least 70% from the charity stripe last season. While they don’t return any automatic free throw shooters, the Bulldogs have so many consistent guys from the line. In arguably the most physical conference in the country, you wonder if Matta should make getting to the line a bit more of a priority.
Butler Basketball 2024-25 projections
Projected conference finish: 10th in Big East
Projected postseason ceiling: NIT Appearance