No. 25 (tie) Baylor | No. 1 Maryland | Full List
No. 25: BUTLER BULLDOGS
Last Season: 23-11, 12-6 Big East
About this time last season, Butler's Chris Holtmann was just taking over head coaching duties. Despite being thrown into the role unexpectedly, he led the Bulldogs to a second-place tie in the Big East and just missed the Sweet 16 after losing to Notre Dame in overtime.
So what will be expected from Holtmann in Year 2?
More of the same. Butler will be led by seniors Kellen Dunham, last season's leading scorer, and Roosevelt Jones, who just might be considered its most valuable player for the way he fills out a stat sheet.
Defensively, the Bulldogs probably can't duplicate last season's No. 7 rank in adjusted defense after the loss of forward Kameron Woods and guard Alex Barlow. What they lose on that end, they'll make up for offensively with the addition of freshman center Nate Fowler and North Carolina State transfer Tyler Lewis. -- C.L. Brown
Best Case: Kellen Dunham ranked second in offensive rating and third in win shares in the Big East. He shoots an effective field goal percentage on 60.7 percent on standstill, spot-up jumpers, making him a dangerous offensive player. Opponents had better make Dunham bounce it before shooting. Roosevelt Jones is one of the best all-around players in the country, and Kelan Martin should be a much better player. Butler will be Butler and should win an NCAA tournament game again.
Worst Case: The Bulldogs will be able to score, but can they stop anybody? They not only lost their two best defensive players in Kameron Woods and Alex Barlow, they were the two best defensive players in the Big East. They were first and second in defensive win shares and were among the top three players in the Big East in overall defensive rating. If the Bulldogs cannot collectively replace that defensive impact, Butler had better make a lot of shots.
"They have two all-conference wings in Kellen Dunham and Roosevelt Jones -- and Andrew Chrabascz is a matchup problem because he can play inside or out. Butler just doesn't hurt themselves. You have to beat them. They aren't going to turn it over. Chris [Holtmann] did a great job of getting that program back on track last year."
No. 25 (tie) Baylor | No. 1 Maryland | Full List
