2017–18 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team

The 2017–18 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represented Butler University in the 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. They were coached by LaVall Jordan, in his first year as head coach of his alma mater. The Bulldogs played their home games at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana as members of the Big East Conference. They finished the season 21–14, 9–9 in Big East play to finish a tie for sixth place. As the No. 6 seed in the Big East tournament, they defeated Seton Hall before losing to Villanova in the semifinals. They received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as the No. 10 seed in the Midwest region. There they defeated Arkansas in the first round before losing to Purdue in the second round.

2017–18 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball
NCAA tournament, Second Round
ConferenceBig East Conference
Record21–14 (9–9 Big East)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Jeff Meyer (4th season)
  • Emerson Kampen (2nd season)
  • Omar Lowery (1st season)
Home arenaHinkle Fieldhouse
2017–18 Big East men's basketball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L PCTW L PCT
No. 3 Xavier15–3 .83329–6  .829
No. 2 Villanova †14–4 .77836–4  .900
Seton Hall10–8 .55622–12  .647
Creighton10–8 .55621–12  .636
Providence10–8 .55621–14  .600
Butler9–9 .50021–14  .600
Marquette9–9 .50021–14  .600
Georgetown5–13 .27815–15  .500
St. John's4–14 .22216–17  .485
DePaul4–14 .22211–20  .355
† 2018 Big East tournament winner
Rankings from AP poll

Previous season

The Bulldogs finished the 2016–17 season 25–9, 12–6 in Big East play to finish in second place. They lost to Xavier in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament. The team received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 4 seed in the South Region. They defeated No. 13 Winthrop and No. 12 Middle Tennessee to advance to the Sweet 16. In the Sweet 16, they lost to eventual National Champion North Carolina.

On June 9, 2017, head coach Chris Holtmann left the school to become the head coach at Ohio State.[1] On June 12, the school hired Milwaukee head coach and Butler alum LaVall Jordan as head coach.[2]

Off season

Departures
NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotes
Steven Bennett25G6'3"190SeniorNew Castle, INGraduated
Andrew Chrabascz45F6'7"230SeniorPortsmouth, RIGraduated
Tyler Lewis1G5'11"170RS SeniorStatesville, NCGraduated
Trey Pettus10G6'4"200SeniorSt. Louis, MOGraduated
Kethan Savage11G6'3"205RS SeniorAlexandria, VAGraduated
Avery Woodson0G6'2"190SeniorWaynesboro, MSGraduated

2017 recruiting class

Butler originally signed five recruits in its 2017 class which was hailed as the best recruiting class in Butler history.[3] Following Chris Holtmann's departure, however, top-rated recruited Kyle Young was released from his letter of intent and followed Holtmann to Ohio State.[4] On October 8, 2017, Cooper Neese announced he would be transferring to Indiana State before the season began.[5]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Jerald Gillens-Butler
Point Guard		 Fort Lauderdale, FL Calvary Christian Academy 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Dec 8, 2015 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 80
Christian David
Shooting guard		 Milton, ON Vermont Academy 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Sep 24, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:3/5 stars   Rivals:4/5 stars   247Sports:4/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 83
Aaron Thompson
Point Guard		 Glenn Dale, MD Paul VI Catholic High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) May 2, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports:3/5 stars    ESPN:4/5 stars   ESPN grade: 81
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 10, 2017.

Preseason

In a poll of Big East coaches at the conference's media day, the Bulldogs were picked to finish in eight place in the Big East.[6] Senior forward Kelan Martin was named to the preseason All-Big East First Team.[7]

Roster
2017–18 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team
PlayersCoaches
Pos.#NameHeightWeightYearPrevious schoolHometown
F 30 Kelan Martin 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)220 lb (100 kg) SrBallard Louisville, KY
F 4 Tyler Wideman 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)240 lb (109 kg) SrLake Central Merrillville, IN
C 51 Nate Fowler 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)240 lb (109 kg) JrArchbishop Moeller Cincinnati, OH
G 5 Paul Jorgensen 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)185 lb (84 kg) RS JrDon Bosco Prep (George Washington) New City, NY
G/F 20 Henry Baddley 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)175 lb (79 kg) SoSt. Vincent–St. Mary Wadsworth, OH
G 3 Kamar Baldwin 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)170 lb (77 kg) SoApalachee Winder, GA
F/C 50 Joey Brunk 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)240 lb (109 kg) RS FrSouthport Indianapolis, IN
G 22 Sean McDermott 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)190 lb (86 kg) RS SoPendleton Heights Pendleton, IN
G/F 25 Christian David 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)215 lb (98 kg) FrVermont Academy Milton, Ontario
G 0 Campbell Donovan (W) 5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)165 lb (75 kg) FrBishop Dwenger Fort Wayne, IN
G/F 21 Jerald Gillens-Butler 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)235 lb (107 kg) FrCalvary Christian Academy Fort Lauderdale, FL
G 2 Aaron Thompson 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)190 lb (86 kg) FrPaul VI Catholic Glenn Dale, MD
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • (W) Walk-on

Roster
Last update: July 10, 2017[8]

Schedule and results
    Date
    time, TV    		 Rank# Opponent# Result Record High points High rebounds High assists Site (attendance)
    city, state
    Spain Exhibition Trip
    Aug 4, 2017*
    2:00 p.m.    		 Madrid Generals W 84–80  –
    		  26 – Martin  9 – Martin  7 – Baldwin  Pabellon Polideportivo "Javier Limones" 
    Torrejón de Ardoz, Madrid, Spain
    Aug 6, 2017*
    6:00 a.m.    		 Albacete Basket W 85–51  –
    		  20 – Jorgensen  9 – Martin  5 – Baldwin  Pabellón del Parque 
    Albacete, Spain
    Aug 8, 2017*
    1:00 p.m.    		 Valencia All-Stars W 81–68  –
    		  15 – Baldwin  7 – Martin  5 – Tied  Pabellon Municipal de Godella 
    València, Spain
    Aug 10, 2017*
    1:30 p.m.    		 Union Dax-Gamarde W 80–74  –
    		  15 – Baldwin  5 – Martin  5 – Baldwin  Pavello Esportiu Municipal 
    Sant Julià de Vilatorta, Catalonia, Spain
    Exhibition
    Oct 28, 2017*
    2:00 p.m.    		 Hanover W 68–36  –
    		  14 – McDermott  6 – Martin  4 – McDermott  Hinkle Fieldhouse (7,571)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Nov 4, 2017*
    7:00 p.m.    		 Lincoln Memorial W 86–79  –
    		  19 – Martin  7 – Martin  4 – Baldwin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (7,685)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Non-conference regular season
    Nov 10, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., FCS    		 Kennesaw State W 82–64  1–0
    		  20 – Martin  9 – Martin  5 – Thompson  Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,138)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Nov 12, 2017*
    6:00 p.m, CBSSN    		 Princeton W 85–75  2–0
    		  20 – Martin  13 – Martin  3 – Martin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,470)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Nov 15, 2017*
    8:30 p.m, FS1    		 at Maryland
    Gavitt Tipoff Games    		 L 65–79  2–1
    		  17 – McDermott  6 – Martin  6 – Thompson  Xfinity Center (16,317)
    College Park, MD
    Nov 18, 2017*
    2:00 p.m., FS2    		 Furman W 82–65  3–1
    		  19 – Wideman  7 – Wideman  4 – Tied  Hinkle Fieldhouse (7,827)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Nov 23, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 vs. Texas
    PK80 Motion Bracket quarterfinals    		 L 48–61  3–2
    		  15 – Baldwin  6 – Baldwin  3 – Thompson  Veterans Memorial Coliseum (6,955)
    Portland, OR
    Nov 24, 2017*
    3:00 p.m., ESPNU    		 vs. Portland State
    PK80 Motion Bracket consolation 2nd round    		 W 71–69  4–2
    		  18 – Wideman  8 – Wideman  5 – Jorgensen  Moda Center 
    Portland, OR
    Nov 26, 2017*
    3:00 p.m., ESPN2    		 vs. Ohio State
    PK80 Motion Bracket 5th place game    		 W 67–66 OT 5–2
    		  24 – Martin  8 – Wideman  4 – Baldwin  Veterans Memorial Coliseum (5,910)
    Portland, OR
    Dec 2, 2017*
    2:00 p.m., FS1    		 Saint Louis W 75–45  6–2
    		  20 – Martin  12 – Martin  5 – Thompson  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,963)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Dec 5, 2017*
    9:00 p.m., FS1    		 Utah W 81–69  7–2
    		  29 – Martin  11 – Martin  5 – Baldwin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (7,638)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Dec 9, 2017*
    12:00 p.m., FSN    		 Youngstown State W 95–67  8–2
    		  19 – Baldwin  7 – Brunk  6 – Thompson  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,022)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Dec 16, 2017*
    12:00 p.m., FOX    		 vs. No. 17 Purdue
    Crossroads Classic    		 L 67–82  8–3
    		  17 – Martin  8 – Jorgensen  4 – Thompson  Bankers Life Fieldhouse 
    Indianapolis, IN
    Dec 19, 2017*
    8:30 p.m., FS1    		 Morehead State W 85–69  9–3
    		  20 – Martin  10 – Martin  5 – Thompson  Hinkle Fieldhouse (7,122)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Dec 21, 2017*
    7:00 p.m., FSN    		 Western Illinois W 107–46  10–3
    		  20 – Tied  12 – Fowler  7 – Martin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (7,779)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Big East regular season
    Dec 27, 2017
    6:30 p.m., FS1    		 at Georgetown W 91–89 2OT 11–3
    (1–0)    		  31 – Baldwin  12 – McDermott  3 – Tied  Capital One Arena (9,257)
    Washington, D.C.
    Dec 30, 2017
    4:00 p.m., CBS    		 No. 1 Villanova W 101–93[9]  12–3
    (2–0)    		  24 – Martin  9 – Baldwin  7 – Baldwin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,244)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Jan 2, 2018
    7:00 p.m., FS1    		 at No. 5 Xavier L 79–86  12–4
    (2–1)    		  28 – Baldwin  11 – McDermott  3 – Jorgensen  Cintas Center (10,609)
    Cincinnati, OH
    Jan 6, 2018
    2:30 p.m., FS1    		 No. 21 Seton Hall L 87–90  12–5
    (2–2)    		  27 – Martin  6 – Baldwin  5 – Baldwin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,855)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Jan 9, 2018
    8:30 p.m., FS1    		 at No. 25 Creighton L 74–85  12–6
    (2–3)    		  18 – Jorgensen  11 – Martin  3 – 3 tied  CenturyLink Center Omaha (17,229)
    Omaha, NE
    Jan 12, 2017
    6:30 p.m., FS1    		 Marquette W 94–83  13–6
    (3–3)    		  37 – Martin  7 – Martin  6 – Jorgensen  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,911)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Jan 15, 2018
    4:30 p.m., FS1    		 at Providence L 60–70  13–7
    (3–4)    		  25 – Baldwin  7 – Tied  7 – Jorgensen  Dunkin' Donuts Center (12,407)
    Providence, Rhode Island
    Jan 20, 2018
    2:00 p.m., FS1    		 at DePaul W 79–67  14–7
    (4–4)    		  24 – Martin  9 – Baldwin  8 – Thompson  Wintrust Arena (6,802)
    Chicago, IL
    Jan 27, 2018
    2:30 p.m., FS1    		 St. John's W 70–45  15–7
    (5–4)    		  19 – Martin  11 – Wideman  5 – Baldwin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,129)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Jan 31, 2018
    9:00 p.m., FS1    		 at Marquette W 92–72  16–7
    (6–4)    		  23 – Wideman  9 – Wideman  5 – Baldwin  BMO Harris Bradley Center (12,779)
    Milwaukee, WI
    Feb 3, 2018
    12:00 p.m., FS1    		 DePaul W 80–57  17–7
    (7–4)    		  26 – Martin  6 – Martin  6 – Martin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,879)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Feb 6, 2018
    6:30 p.m., FS1    		 No. 5 Xavier L 93–98 OT 17–8
    (7–5)    		  34 – Martin  7 – Tied  5 – Jorgensen  Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,100)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Feb 10, 2018
    12:00 p.m., FOX    		 at No. 1 Villanova L 75–86  17–9
    (7–6)    		  30 – Martin  6 – Jorgensen  7 – Jorgensen  Wells Fargo Center (20,603)
    Philadelphia, PA
    Feb 13, 2018
    6:30 p.m., CBSSN    		 Georgetown L 83–87  17–10
    (7–7)    		  22 – Martin  8 – Martin  7 – Baldwin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,539)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Feb 17, 2018
    12:00 p.m., FOX    		 Providence W 69–54  18–10
    (8–7)    		  19 – Martin  8 – Thompson  2 – 3 tied  Hinkle Fieldhouse (9,184)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Feb 20, 2018
    7:00 p.m., FS1    		 Creighton W 93–70  19–10
    (9–7)    		  26 – Martin  7 – Martin  4 – Baldwin  Hinkle Fieldhouse (8,630)
    Indianapolis, IN
    Feb 28, 2018
    9:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 at St. John's L 68–75 2OT 19–11
    (9–8)    		  17 – Tied  7 – McDermott  7 – Thompson  Carnesecca Arena (5,602)
    Queens, NY
    Mar 3, 2018
    8:00 p.m., CBSSN    		 at Seton Hall L 70–77  19–12
    (9–9)    		  35 – Martin  7 – Martin  2 – Tied  Prudential Center (9,743)
    Newark, NJ
    Big East tournament
    Mar 8, 2018
    9:30 p.m., FS1    		 (6) vs. (3) Seton Hall
    Quarterfinals    		 W 75–74  20–12
    		  32 – Baldwin  7 – McDermott  3 – Baldwin  Madison Square Garden (19,812)
    New York, NY
    Mar 9, 2018
    9:00 p.m., FS1    		 (6) vs. (2) No. 7 Villanova
    Semifinals    		 L 68–87  20–13
    		  13 – Martin  5 – Tied  4 – Tied  Madison Square Garden (19,812)
    New York, NY
    NCAA tournament
    Mar 16, 2018*
    3:10 p.m., truTV    		 (10 E) vs. (7 E) Arkansas
    First Round    		 W 79–62  21–13
    		  27 – Martin  9 – 3 tied  7 – Thompson  Little Caesars Arena (20,163)
    Detroit, MI
    Mar 18, 2018*
    12:20 p.m., CBS    		 (10 E) vs. (2 E) No. 11 Purdue
    Second Round    		 L 73–76  21–14
    		  29 – Martin  5 – Martin  4 – Thompson  Little Caesars Arena (20,360)
    Detroit, MI
    *Non-conference game. #Rankings from AP Poll. (#) Tournament seedings in parentheses.
    E=East Region.
    All times are in Eastern Time.

    Rankings
    Main article: 2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings
    Ranking movements
    Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    — = Not ranked. RV = Received votes.
    Week
    PollPre123456789101112131415161718Final
    APRVRV——————RV————RVRVRVRVRV—Not released
    CoachesRVRVRVRVRV———RV————RVRVRVRVRVRVRV

    *AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings

    Awards
    NameAward(s)
    Kelan MartinPreseason All-Big East First Team[10]
    Big East Player of the Week – Nov. 13[11]
    Big East Player of the Week – Jan. 2[12]
    Lute Olsen National Player of the Week – Jan. 2[13]
    Big East Player of the Week – Jan. 15[14]
    All-Big East First Team[15]
    Tyler WidemanBig East Sportsmanship Award[16]

    References
    1. "Butler's Chris Holtmann hired as Ohio State coach". USA TODAY. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
    2. "Butler stays in the family: New coach is LaVall Jordan". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved June 13, 2017.
    3. "Signing Day: Butler's highest-ranked recruiting class features versatility". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
    4. "Butler's top recruit flips to Ohio State: 'I want to be part of building something special in my home state.'". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
    5. "Cooper Neese to transfer from Butler before freshman season even starts". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
    6. "Big East Conference - Villanova Sits Atop Coaches' Preseason Poll Again". www.bigeast.com. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
    7. "Big East Conference - Villanova's Jalen Brunson Selected Preseason Player of the Year". www.bigeast.com. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
    8. "2017-18 Men's Basketball Roster". Butlersports.com. Butler University. Retrieved July 10, 2017.
    9. "Villanova vs. Butler Box Score, December 30, 2017".
    10. "Martin Voted Preseason All-BIG EAST First Team; @ButlerMBB Picked Eighth". Butler University. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
    11. "Butler's Martin, Villanova's Spellman Earn MBB Weekly Honors". Big East Conference. November 13, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
    12. "Butler's Martin, Marquette's Cain Take MBB Weekly Honors". Big East Conference. January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
    13. "@ButlerMBB's Kelan Martin Earns BIG EAST and National Weekly Honors". Butler University. January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
    14. "Butler's Martin, Xavier's Marshall Take Weekly MBB Honors". Big East Conference. January 20, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
    15. "Xavier's Bluiett, Villanova's Brunson, Butler's Martin Unanimously Named All-BIG EAST". Big East Conference. March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
    16. "Creighton's Thomas Repeats As Defensive Player of the Year". Big East Conference. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
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