Expectations are high as the 2009-2010 Butler Bulldogs look to continue their dominance of the Horizon League and progress further in the NCAA tournament after losing in the first round of the Big Dance last year to LSU, 75-71. The Bulldogs return everyone from last year's squad that went 26-6 and earned a No. 9 seed in the NCAA tournament.

 

Key Losses

Director of Basketball Operations Kevin Kuwik left Butler in the offseason to take a position at Ohio State. Most preview articles wouldn't mention a "DoBO," but when that is the only person who left the program, something has to fill this space.

 

Key Additions

The Bulldogs only have one incoming recruit, center Andrew Smith. Smith is 6'11" from Indianapolis' Covenant Christian H.S. Smith comes with a three-star rating from Rivals and from Scout. 

Smith runs the floor well for a big man and should fit nicely into Butler's offensive system that requires its big men to be able to screen and move. With such a stacked lineup, Smith may be a redshirt candidate this year, or could contribute some minutes backing up Matt Howard.

Butler also has two players who redshirted last year that will have freshman eligibility this year. Chase Stigall is a 6'4" guard from New Castle, Ind., the same city as former Butler players Brandon Miller, Darnell Archey, and Bruce Horan (as well as current Bulldog Zach Hahn).

Stigall was named as part of the Indiana All-Star team that plays against the Kentucky All-Stars each year. As a sophomore, Stigall was part of the 2006 3A State Championship team for New Castle. In 2008, Stigall was regarded as a two-star recruit from Scout and Rivals.

Emerson Kampen also will have freshman eligibility for the Bulldogs. Kampen is a 6'9" center from Yorktown, Ind. who is a preferred walk-on for Butler. At only 189 pounds, Kampen will definitely need to hit the weights to be much of a force on the block.

But Kampen's game reminds many of former Butler sharpshooter Pete Campbell, who also went to Yorktown H.S., so Kampen will spend as much time out by the arc as he will in the paint.

 

Frontcourt

The Butler frontcourt will be led by reigning Horizon League Player of the Year Matt Howard. Howard, a 6'8" junior from Connersville, Ind., led the Bulldogs last year with 14.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. 

"The Monsterizer," as dubbed by The Mid-Majority's Kyle Whelliston, has a relentless passion for the game that can be described as Tyler Hansbrough-like.  For Howard to take his game to the next level, he must cut down on his fouling habit. Howard only averaged 27.8 minutes a game by often being in foul trouble, committing 101 fouls over 32 games.

The PF spot will be manned by senior Willie Veasley. Veasley, a native of Freeport, Ill., plays much larger than his 6'3" frame would suggest. Known primarily for his defense and energy, Veasley stepped up his offensive game last season. Veasley averaged 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds, and expanded his range, hitting 34 three-pointers at a 32.7 percent clip.

Gordon Hayward, last year's Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, rounds out the frontcourt. Hayward, who has grown another inch to 6'9", has generated the most buzz of any of the current Bulldogs. The sophomore from Indianapolis suburb Brownsburg, Ind. was named to the all-tournament team at this year's FIBA U-19 World Basketball Championships in New Zealand.

Hayward can play any position 1-4 (he doesn't have the post-up game yet for a true center) and his versatility can be noted in his stats. He averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and just under one block per game. Hayward also shot 44.8 percent from three-point range and 81.5 percent from the free-throw line.

ESPN's Fran Fraschilla named Hayward one of the 12 most versatile players in America, and Fox Sports' Jeff Goodman named Hayward the fourth-best shooter in the country.

Frontcourt depth for the Bulldogs will primarily be provided by Garrett Butcher and Avery Jukes. Butcher, a 6'7" sophomore from Ellettsville, Ind., played in all 32 games last season, averaging 2.5 points and 1.4 rebounds in 10 minutes per game. Butcher has decent range, hitting seven threes out of 20 attempts last season. Expect a similar contribution this year.

Jukes, a 6'8" senior transfer from Snellville, Ga., by way of Alabama, primarily served as Howard's backup last season. Jukes played in 27 games last season, missing some time with a knee injury. 

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