2009-10 Result: 33-5 (18-0 Horizon League) lost to Duke, 61-59 in the national finals.
Coach: Brad Stevens 89-15 in three seasons with the Bulldogs.
Four Butler Bulldogs have graduated to the National Basketball Association including Gordon Hayward who currently plays with the Utah Jazz.
Last season’s run to the finals was Butler’s tenth appearance in the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs advanced to the Sweet Sixteen in ’62, ’03, ’07.
Notable Non-Conference Tilts: 11/16 at Louisville, 11/23 at Siena, 12/4 at Duke, 12/9 at Butler, 12/18 vs. Stanford, 12/22 vs. Utah
Stat of Identity: 59.4 scoring defense (ninth in the nation).
Key Returners:
Shelvin Mack 30.9 mpg, 14.1 ppg, 3 apg
Matt Howard 25.2 mpg, 11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg
Ronald Nored 30 mpg, 6 ppg, 3.6 apg
Zack Hahn 15.5 mpg, 4.9 ppg 41.4 3 pt.%
Shawn Vanzant 14.6 mpg
By Paul Casey Gotham
Some will look at Butler’s run to last year’s final as leaning heavily on luck. Butler’s five wins in March were anything but. Last year’s streak was an inevitability for a program that’s been nibbling at major success for a decade.
This year will be a chance to prove that.
Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard, Ronald Nored, Shawn Vanzant return, and the Bulldogs have added a promising freshman class that should help Butler compete late into March again.
The Bulldogs made their run last year because they did not give into other teams. Butler forced opponents to play a methodical tempo. The tact created results.
Mack and Nored were primarily responsible for this. The backcourt dictated a patient tempo. At the same time, they were smart enought to recognize advantage situations to run the floor and get easy baskets.
Mack led Butler with 79 three pointers. The 6’3″ 215 pound junior guard combines the ability to hit from long range with the strength to get to the basket and finish. Mack’s three assists per game are evidence of his play-making ability in tight corners.
If nothing else, Nored plays completely within himself. The 6′ junior possesses excellent court presence. He rarely gets caught out of position and understands the flow of the game.
Howard is a variable. He has the ability to carry the team like he did when scored 23 against Minnesota, or 13 versus Ohio State with six rebounds. He also fouled out of nine games and picked up four personals in 13 other games. The Bulldogs need Howard to play more minutes per game. That will depend upon his ability to stay out of foul trouble.
Vanzant will add experience to the backcourt.
Hahn comes off the bench and hits from behind the arc at a rate of 41 percent.
Emerson Kampen (6’9″) and Andrew Smith (7′) will add size around the basket.
Freshmen, Erik Fromm, Crishawn Hopkins and Khyle Marshall will vie for playing time.
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