What does the future look like at Butler?? Is Stevens using the tournament success to lure a different quality of player to the Butler campus??

They return 7 of their top 10 and three 3-star or better prospects.

They only lose Howard, Hahn and Vanzant.

After NEXT YEAR is when Stevens will have to really consider his future and if he can continue to build there. However, with Mack and Nored in the backcourt, a nice post player in Smith and a potential future pro in Marshall along with the experience, Butler will be a potential Sweet 16 or better team next year.

Then again, college basketball might be as good as it has been in years if some of the players return and the NBA lockout has some influence. We'll see, but Stevens has to feel fairly confident in his team for next year.

I wish Stevens luck. I think players like Hayward and Howard are difficult to replace at a Horizon League school. Butler's tournament run the past two years has been magical. There is no doubt that the Bulldogs have brought good teams to the tournament, but they also benefited from a little luck.

That's definitely true. It kind of reminds me of the Florida teams with Billy Donovan. They were talented, but they were also a team that you had confidence, even as a heavy favorite, they were going to be tough to beat despite having 6 losses that season.

I think Matt Howard is one of those guys. Doesn't wow you with size, athleticism, skills or ability, but he does everything else and the offense can run through him. Hayward's absence was big, but I think getting back to the title game is a testament that he WAS able to be replaced.

Shelvin Mack is the rock though. He's the guy that if he's on the team and healthy, Butler will be a tough out. Nored is similar, although not as easy to spot. The biggest key will be the development of Andrew Smith. He's bigger and more offensively skilled (in-terms of pure post moves) than Matt Howard, but can he fill those shoes and be Mr. Reliable as far as setting the right screens, being in the right spot all the time, etc. If so, Butler will actually have some expectations to make another run next year, whether that's fair or not, they will.

If Smith and Marshall progress the way they should then I think they will replace Howard's production pretty easily. Vanzant wasn't really an important piece until this season, and Hahn had an awful year.

I don't think they'll make the title game again, but I would expect them to win the Horizon pretty easily again and earn better than an 8 seed.

any word if Mack will test the NBA waters?

I don't see why not. He's a Junior and would get a free set of workouts/interviews. Any Junior, regardless of talent and/or draft projection should do it IMO. It can only make you better...

Depends on what you define as Butler's run. Will they make it to the national title for a third straight year, most likely not. However, I still think they'll be a tourney team and win a few games there, possible sweet 16, or elite 8 with the right draw. So no, I don't believe Butler's run is over.

Mulva;733609 wrote:If Smith and Marshall progress the way they should then I think they will replace Howard's production pretty easily. Vanzant wasn't really an important piece until this season, and Hahn had an awful year.

I don't think they'll make the title game again, but I would expect them to win the Horizon pretty easily again and earn better than an 8 seed.

They finished in a three-way tie for first and were seeded second for the conference tournament after the tie-breakers were applied. I'm not sure if that qualifies as winning the conference easily.

Azubuike24;733501 wrote:They return 7 of their top 10 and three 3-star or better prospects.

They only lose Howard, Hahn and Vanzant.

After NEXT YEAR is when Stevens will have to really consider his future and if he can continue to build there. However, with Mack and Nored in the backcourt, a nice post player in Smith and a potential future pro in Marshall along with the experience, Butler will be a potential Sweet 16 or better team next year.

Then again, college basketball might be as good as it has been in years if some of the players return and the NBA lockout has some influence. We'll see, but Stevens has to feel fairly confident in his team for next year.

LOL.... I agree with your post but I had to laugh at Andrew Smith one last time for his title game performance. I know it was the whole team but he stood out in particular.

Azubuike24;733640 wrote:I don't see why not. He's a Junior and would get a free set of workouts/interviews. Any Junior, regardless of talent and/or draft projection should do it IMO. It can only make you better...

I agree with this, I think he should, and probably will. However, I think he'll be playing college basketball again next year, and I think he should. I'm all for a player exploring his options as long as they are legal, but I think another year will do him good.

Yeah, that's why the whole "so and so is entering the draft" is meaningless until we see that list after names need to be withdrawn.

One of the few procedures the NCAA has right...giving kids the chance to have a free evaluation in-front of scouts without endangering eligibility.

Al Bundy;733687 wrote:They finished in a three-way tie for first and were seeded second for the conference tournament after the tie-breakers were applied. I'm not sure if that qualifies as winning the conference easily.

Fair enough, but I was referring to a general trend moreso than just this season. Looking back at the past several years. They won the conference by 4, 2, and 6 games in the three seasons prior to this one.

And they ended this season (tournament included) winning 9 straight in conference. I don't think there was ever any doubt that they were the most talented team.