Butler Bulldogs: 23-8, 12-6 in the Big East
Head coach: Chris Holtmann (3rd season)
Players to watch: Andrew Chrabascz (11.0 PPG, 4.6 RPG); Kelan Martin (16.1 PPG, 5.7 RPG); Kamar Baldwin (10.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG)
Season recap: After a roller coaster season in which the Bulldogs went 4-0 against RPI top-25 teams but lost three games to teams outside the top 100, Butler heads into the NCAA tournament as one of the biggest question marks in the field. The Bulldogs toppled No. 1 seed Villanova twice this year and displayed a blend of experience and talent in nonconference wins against the likes of Arizona and Cincinnati. But Butler's run in the Big East tournament came to a quick end when the team lost to Xavier in the quarterfinals on a late Trevon Bluiett jumper.
The Bulldogs are led by head coach Chris Holtmann—the 2016-17 Big East Coach of the Year—and feature a roster with three players named to all-conference teams. Chrabascz was a first-team All-Big East selection in his senior season, Martin was selected to the second team and Baldwin was named to the All-Freshmen team. Butler relies on this trio to provide the bulk of their scoring, but has other options on the offensive end as well, such as 3-point specialist Avery Woodson and big man Tyler Wideman—who finished fourth in the conference in offensive rebounds.
How they make a run: The Bulldogs stifle opposing offenses as they did in their marquee wins early in the season. With Baldwin stepping into the spotlight and Chrabascz continuing to be a force on both sides of the ball, Holtmann brings memories of former head coach Brad Stevens to mind as he leads Butler on another deep run in the Big Dance.
How they falter: Turnovers plague the offense, as they did in the Bulldogs' loss to Xavier, and the Butler defense is overwhelmed by a more athletic squad in the opening weekend of the tournament.
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