GETTING INSIDE

The entire cast is back for an encore performance at Butler, which lost no starters or even non-starters from last year’s regular-season Horizon League champions.

Third-year head coach Brad Stevens’ entire roster is back, with two redshirt freshmen and a 6-11 freshman center added to the mix. No wonder the Bulldogs, who won 26 games last year and made their annual trip to the NCAA Tournament, are considered a contender for the 2010 Final Four held a few miles from campus at Lucas Oil Stadium. That’s “the last thing we’re thinking about,” Stevens told the Indianapolis Star.

The Bulldogs are deep and also built for the long haul. The class breakdown also includes just two seniors (one of them a walk-on), five juniors and four sophomores.

Butler, which has won at least a share of three straight Horizon League regular-season titles, was naturally picked first in the preseason poll, receiving 43 of 46 first-place votes.

Junior forward Matt Howard, the reigning conference Player of the Year, was the preseason pick to win the award again. He is the league’s top returning scorer (14.8) and second-leading returning rebounder (6.8). Joining Howard on the preseason all-league first team is sophomore forward Gordon Hayward (13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds). Sophomore guard Shelvin Mack (11.9 points) made the preseason second team.

Hayward was the Horizon Newcomer of the Year last season. Hayward and Mack played for the gold medal-winning Team USA squad at the U-19 world championships this summer.

Butler’s other returning starters are senior forward Willie Veasley and sophomore point guard Ronald Nored. Seven other letter winners are back, along with redshirt freshmen Chase Stigall and Emerson Kampen and freshman center Andrew Smith.

“We’re excited to get on the court and get to work to become the best basketball team we can be,” Stevens said. “It’s nice to receive recognition, but that’s based on the past and it doesn’t change our approach or the way we prepare each day. Our goal remains the same—we want to get better each day.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• Butler is scheduled to appear on ESPN’s family of networks a record eight times this season, eclipsing the total of seven appearances by the 2007-08 squad.

• F Gordon Hayward was named to the list of 50 preseason candidates for the 2009-10 John R. Wooden Award. The 6-8 sophomore averaged 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds last season and this summer, helped the U.S. capture its first FIBA U-19 world championship since 1991.

• F Matt Howard, the 2008-09 Horizon League Player of the Year, said that he placed a greater emphasis this summer on strength and conditioning work. “It’s paid off,” he told the Indianapolis Star. That’s bad news for defenders trying to keep the 6-8, 230-pound junior off the boards.

Last Year:   26-6 overall, 15-3 Horizon; lost in first round of NCAA Tournament.

Head Coach:   Brad Stevens (career 56-10); third year at Butler (56-10).

Quote To Note:   “The expectations are to represent Butler well in the classroom and in the community. If we do those things, and prioritize getting better every day, I feel very comfortable that we have a chance to improve as a team, and good things will happen.”—Butler head coach Brad Stevens to the Indianapolis Star.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Scouting The Newcomers:   G Chase Stigall and 6-9 C Emerson Kampen are redshirt freshmen who both practiced with the team last season, making 6-11 freshman Andrew Smith of Covenant Christian High in Indianapolis the lone true newcomer. He averaged 23.3 points and led the state with 17.1 rebounds per game as a senior and was named the All-City Player of the Year by the Indianapolis Star.

Key Early Season Games:   Butler opens the season at home against NIT participant Davidson, minus Division I-A scoring leader Stephen Curry, who is now with the NBA’s Golden State Warriors. The Bulldogs face NCAA Tournament participant Minnesota in the 76 Classic in Anaheim, Calif., and tackle Georgetown at the Jimmy V Classic in New York City.

Program Direction:   The 2010 Final Four will be held in Butler’s backyard at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy. The Bulldogs have the offensive talent, defensive tenacity and discipline to become hometown Hoosier heroes.

Probable Starting Lineup:   PG Ronald Nored, SG Shelvin Mack, SF Willie Veasley, F Gordon Hayward, F Matt Howard.

Roster Report:  

• Sophomore PG Ronald Nored resumed limited practice in late October, his first action in months due to a stress fracture in his left leg.

• Sophomore SG Shelvin Mack finished at the head of the pack when the Bulldogs ran a mile in preseason fitness tests, clocked at 5 minutes, 22 seconds. Sophomore F Gordon Hayward was next at 5:26 and even 6-11 freshman Andrew Smith finished in under 6 minutes.