Or at least will moving forward
Butler will mix three four-star prospects with experienced roster
We continue our recruit and return series with the Butler Bulldogs, whose season ended Friday with a loss to North Carolina in the South Region. Here is a look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five:
G: Paul Jorgensen (George Washington transfer)
G: Kamar Baldwin
F: Kelan Martin
F: Tyler Wideman
C: Nate Fowler
Who is lost: Coach Chris Holtmann has had plenty of success with transfers the past few years, and three of them are on their way out. Former NC State transfer Tyler Lewis had plenty of hype coming out of high school, and though he never quite lived up to the expectations, he could knock down open shots and really pass. Kethan Savage and Avery Woodson got only one year on the court with Butler, but they brought some offensive spark to the wing. Savage was more of a physical driver, while Woodson was one of the best shooters in the league. In addition, senior big man Andrew Chrabascz is gone. He entered college with a reputation as a bruiser and physical player down low, but he exited as a double-figure scorer who was also one of the best big man passers in the Big East.
Who is added: Butler is bringing in a top-20 recruiting class filled with three four-star prospects and one three-star point guard. ESPN 100 forwards Christian David and Kyle Young are the highlights. David can really shoot from the perimeter, and though injuries hindered him late in his high school career, he can handle the ball and pass it well for his size. Young is a bit more physical and can score in the post better than David, but he can also shoot the 3-ball and rebounds effectively. Florida point guard Jerald Butler is 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, so he brings a different look at that position, but he will be joined in competition for minutes by three-star in-state product Cooper Neese. Holtmann also has more point guard depth coming in via George Washington transfer Jorgensen, who sat out this season. He was a solid shooter and distributor with the Colonials.
What it means for next season: There’s a lot of perimeter production exiting this season, but the Bulldogs will return the tandem of Baldwin and Martin. Baldwin was one of the surprise freshmen nationally, averaging double figures and shooting around 40 percent from 3-point range. He could be a star by the time he leaves Butler. Martin is one of the toughest matchups in the Big East, but he led the team in scoring and is capable of carrying the Bulldogs on the offensive end. Several players will have to take steps forward next season, including sophomores-to-be Joey Brunk and Sean McDermott. Wideman and Fowler saw plenty of minutes up front this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if one or both of them starts consistently next season.
Trending: Down. Holtmann did one of the best coaching jobs in the country this season, but it might be even tougher in 2017-18. Someone will need to step up at the point guard spot, where there are several candidates. There aren’t too many duos in the league better than Baldwin and Martin, either.
Butler will mix three four-star prospects with experienced roster
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Jeff BorzelloESPN?Insider Staff Writer
We continue our recruit and return series with the Butler Bulldogs, whose season ended Friday with a loss to North Carolina in the South Region. Here is a look at what the 2017-18 season could hold:
Possible 2017-18 starting five:
G: Paul Jorgensen (George Washington transfer)
G: Kamar Baldwin
F: Kelan Martin
F: Tyler Wideman
C: Nate Fowler
Who is lost: Coach Chris Holtmann has had plenty of success with transfers the past few years, and three of them are on their way out. Former NC State transfer Tyler Lewis had plenty of hype coming out of high school, and though he never quite lived up to the expectations, he could knock down open shots and really pass. Kethan Savage and Avery Woodson got only one year on the court with Butler, but they brought some offensive spark to the wing. Savage was more of a physical driver, while Woodson was one of the best shooters in the league. In addition, senior big man Andrew Chrabascz is gone. He entered college with a reputation as a bruiser and physical player down low, but he exited as a double-figure scorer who was also one of the best big man passers in the Big East.
Who is added: Butler is bringing in a top-20 recruiting class filled with three four-star prospects and one three-star point guard. ESPN 100 forwards Christian David and Kyle Young are the highlights. David can really shoot from the perimeter, and though injuries hindered him late in his high school career, he can handle the ball and pass it well for his size. Young is a bit more physical and can score in the post better than David, but he can also shoot the 3-ball and rebounds effectively. Florida point guard Jerald Butler is 6-foot-4, 230 pounds, so he brings a different look at that position, but he will be joined in competition for minutes by three-star in-state product Cooper Neese. Holtmann also has more point guard depth coming in via George Washington transfer Jorgensen, who sat out this season. He was a solid shooter and distributor with the Colonials.
What it means for next season: There’s a lot of perimeter production exiting this season, but the Bulldogs will return the tandem of Baldwin and Martin. Baldwin was one of the surprise freshmen nationally, averaging double figures and shooting around 40 percent from 3-point range. He could be a star by the time he leaves Butler. Martin is one of the toughest matchups in the Big East, but he led the team in scoring and is capable of carrying the Bulldogs on the offensive end. Several players will have to take steps forward next season, including sophomores-to-be Joey Brunk and Sean McDermott. Wideman and Fowler saw plenty of minutes up front this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if one or both of them starts consistently next season.
Trending: Down. Holtmann did one of the best coaching jobs in the country this season, but it might be even tougher in 2017-18. Someone will need to step up at the point guard spot, where there are several candidates. There aren’t too many duos in the league better than Baldwin and Martin, either.
