Paul Jorgensen drives to the basket. Jorgensen and the Bulldogs face Indiana on Dec. 15 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Jimmy Lafakis/Collegian file photo.
JOSH MULLENIX | STAFF REPORTER | jmulleni@butler.edu
It’s time for the annual celebration of Indiana college hoops as Butler, Indiana, Purdue, and Notre Dame congregate at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a day of basketball. This year, the Bulldogs takes on the Hoosiers of Indiana University. Here’s what you need to know.
Who: Butler vs. No. 25 Indiana
When: Dec. 15, 3:45 p.m.
Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
How to Watch/Listen: 107.5 FM, 1070 AM
Duke transfer Jordan Tucker is eligible.
Butler acquired former four-star forward Jordan Tucker when he transferred from Duke last season. Due to NCAA transfer rules, Tucker had to sit out two semesters, the second of which came to an end on Dec. 14. He was ranked No. 42 overall and the No. 8 small forward in the country by ESPN coming out of high school. Standing at 6-foot-7, Tucker should bring another dimension of offense to this Butler team with his shooting and ability to create his own shot. Against IU, pay attention to how head coach LaVall Jordan uses him. How many minutes does he play? Does he start? Who are the other Butler players on the floor with him?
IU’s Romeo Langford
Butler has played some great basketball players over the last several years: Josh Hart, Jalen Brunson, Justin Jackson and many others. But very few have been as highly recruited and ranked as Indiana freshman Romeo Langford. Langford was the No. 5 recruit in the country according to ESPN and is fourth on the all-time scoring list in Indiana high school basketball history. The 6-foot-6 guard is averaging 18.2 points per game, which leads the Hoosiers. Pay attention to who Coach Jordan tasks with guarding Langford and don’t be surprised if you see a lot of Henry Baddley in this contest. Baddley is long, quick and athletic and could be the guy to disrupt Langford.
Juwan Morgan vs Butler’s bigs
Jordan Tucker and Romeo Langford are going to be fun to watch, but if Butler wants to win this game, they need to contain Juwan Morgan at both ends of the floor. Morgan is similar to Dayton’s Josh Cunningham in stature and his offensive abilities, but Morgan can also step out and shoot really well. The senior is averaging 15 points per game and shooting better than 40 percent from three. The Bulldogs struggled against Cunningham and Morgan will present an equally difficult challenge for Butler’s frontcourt.
