48 hours after 40-point beatdown, it doesn't get any easier as Butler visits No. 25 UConn
Butler players assert they can be competitive against their Big East basketball brethren. If so, they have a chance to show it twice in three days against another heavyweight, Connecticut.
The Bulldogs (9-7, 2-3) will meet No. 25 UConn (11-4, 2-2) on Tuesday night at Hartford’s XL Center and again Thursday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The first game was rescheduled from Jan. 1 because of COVID issues in the UConn program.
UConn is 15th in the NET, the NCAA’s rankings formula.
Insider: After historically bad 40-point loss to Villanova, Butler 'can't hide from it'
Butler is 0-6 against the NET Top 30 and has lost by 15 points or more in all six: Michigan State by 21, Houston by 18, Purdue by 29, Seton Hall and Xavier by 15 each, Villanova by 40. The Bulldogs did not lead in the second half of any of them.
By contrast, UConn’s four losses have come by four, three, four and three points.
Villanova was Butler’s worst defeat since a 40-point loss to No. 4 North Carolina in 1994.
“We’re still strong together,” forward Bryce Nze said. “We’re 2-3 right now. We’ve just got to bounce back and win the next one.”
Butler is 0-3 against UConn, losing twice last year and in the 2011 NCAA championship game.
What I’m watching:
Better start is mandatory
If Butler is to compete against UConn, it might be evident by the under-16-minute timeout.
When the Bulldogs get blown out, the damage usually comes early. They trailed Michigan State 22-8, Houston 17-0, Purdue 34-16, Seton Hall 34-25, Xavier 36-23 and Villanova 26-8.
As porous as Butler’s defense was against Villanova — worst efficiency of the 21-year KenPom era — the offense was perhaps worse. The Bulldogs started shooting 1-of-7 and had another stretch of 1-of-16.
No defense in college basketball is throwing a shutout, so Butler needs so much more from the offense: more actions, ball movement, assists and 3-pointers.
Who is bringing the energy?
The teams enter under wildly different circumstances.
Butler is ending an East Coast trip requiring three games in six days. UConn has played just twice since Dec. 21, losing at Seton Hall 90-87 in overtime and beating St. John’s 86-78 in OT at Storrs.
Will the Bulldogs be flat? Will the Huskies?
Butler’s anemic offense gets no relief against UConn, which ranks fifth nationally in 2-point defense (41.7%) and percentage of shots blocked (17.6%). UConn leads the Big East in scoring margin (plus-15) and rebounding margin (plus-7.5).
This will be the third game back for Bo Hodges, who has brought more energy than any other Butler player on this trip. His debut was delayed by injury and illness.
Some Dawg needs to have a day
Butler has one player — Chuck Harris (10.5 ppg) — averaging in double figures. Four others average 8.6 to 9.8.
Balance is all well and good. But this offense needs fire, and there is seemingly no one to light a flame.
By contrast, for UConn, R.J. Cole is averaging 16.4, Adama Sanogo 15.9 and Tyrese Martin 14.0.
Against St. John’s, the 6-9 Sanogo became the first college player in seven seasons to have as many as 26 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks in a single game. He is Big East player of the week.
Contact IndyStar reporter David Woods at david.woods@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler basketball: After Villanova massacre, Bulldogs visit UConn
