The season started rough for the champs, despite high expectations. Nearly every key contributor returned except Gordon Hayward who rode a hot March to a lottery selection in the NBA Draft (great move b.t.w, his stock was never getting any higher). Shelvin Mack, Matt Howard and Ronald Nored remainied, giving Butler a core group that many thought could make another deep tourney run.
The first chink in the armor was a thorough dismissal by a young and inexperienced Louisville club the first week of the season. Subsequent losses to Evansville and Xavier were even more disappointing. But nothing compared to the roller coaster of last week.
The week began with a humiliating 76-52 loss to Wisconsin-Milwaukee. If you are thinking "those guys are pretty good, right?" you are thinking back to Bruce Pearl's Sweet Sixteen run there five years and dozens of recruiting violations ago. The Phoenix are 3-3 in the pedestrian Horizon League, and just 8-9 overall.
Push the panic button right? Next time out Butler laid the lumber to their foremost conference rival Cleveland State by nearly the same score; 79-56.
 |
| Struggles aplenty, but still pointing to the NCAA Tourney |
Long term view? I think Butler wins the Horizon League and I still they are a dangerous tournament team floating somewhere around the 7 to 9 line. It is a little odd and concerning to get such erratic play from such a veteran team, but so is the case this year in college hoops outside of six or seven steady reliable teams (and three elite ones).
Up next for Butler is a tricky weekend with trips to an improved Detroit and a decent Wright State team. Win both, and we're ready to declare the 'Dogs back on track. Struggle in one or two, and Butler finds themselves in recently unthinkable territory - looking squarely at the NIT.
.
No comments:
Post a Comment