Can Butler Get the Magic Back?

Hard to remember the last time Butler has had a three game losing streak, but that's where this team is at now.  There's definitely a theme flowing through the past two losses, which is getting behind early, and having to fight to get back in the game.  With this team that seems to go in scoring droughts, they can't afford to get down early.  There are three things that need to happen for the Bulldogs to get back on the right track.

Start out strong and keep the foot on the pedal.  Be consistent the whole game.  Get the offense moving in the right direction.  Clamp down on defense and hold teams under 60 or 70 points.  I would think 60 would be the preferred goal for what a team should be held under.  With this Butler team, scoring doesn't seem to be happening. 


How about getting some shots to fall?  The three point percentages in the past two games have been horrendous.  They have made a total of 5 three pointers, but that's after shooting over 40. With that type of shooting, you're not going to win many games. It doesn't help that the field goal percentage is towards the bottom in all of division one.  If this team gets their shooting touch back, and gets everyone scoring, that would be another improvement.


The leadership is missing as well.  Ronald Nored is the lone senior on this team, so it's time for the young guys to step up themselves and all work together. I'd like to see Andrew Smith step up his role for this team.  He's a big guy down low that can score and play great defense.  Also Chrishawn Hopkins needs to step up and get his game going.  He can score when he needs to, but also can work to get other guys involved.  The coaches can only lead so much, it has to come on the court.


Not quite the panic mode for this team since there are still three non conference games left to work out the kinks and get all primed for a conference run.  But that first conference game is a must win as the Bulldogs have already lost one conference game two Saturdays ago. It's tough to get back in the race if you're a few games down.  But this team could get going and carry that momentum all the way to the NCAA tourney, just like the UCONN team did last year.  First things first, get a win on Saturday against Purdue.