Butler is looking to improve on their 15-17 record from last season. Photo courtesy of Butler Athletics. 

NHU-HAN BUI | STAFF REPORTER | hbui@butler.edu 

#1 Butler will finish with a record above .500

Butler was close to a .500 finish last season, ending with a 15-17 record. The team has been on the rise, winning 26 games in two seasons under head coach Austin Parkinson. In the two seasons prior to his arrival, they won four games combined. His teams at IUPUI only finished under .500 three times, and this will be the season Parkinson has Butler ready to take the leap. The sophomore trio of Riley Makalusky, Karsyn Norman and Cristen Carter is expected to build off their success from last season and continue to make an impact for the Bulldogs. With the addition of five new players and a talented group of returners, the Dawgs have everything in place to finish with a winning record for the first time since the 2019-20 season.

#2 The Bulldogs will go 9-9 in conference play

Butler tied for ninth last year in the Big East and was picked to finish eighth in this year’s Preseason Coaches Poll. If the Bulldogs can do well in the conference this year, it will provide a foundation for the program to build on in the future. The team has not finished higher than eighth in the conference since 2020 when they finished third. The Big East is a tough conference led by powerhouses UConn and Creighton, but Butler could be a potential dark horse this season. Graduate guard Caroline Strande is returning and will be looking to build off last season. She started all 32 games and led Butler in points scored, earning her a spot on the All-Big East Second Team. Her season is already off to a strong start after being named to the Preseason All-Big East Team. Butler will look to improve on their conference record with her leading the charge. 

#3 Lily Carmody will make the Big East All-Freshman Team

Carmody comes to Butler from Australia and should make an immediate impact for the Bulldogs. Having played in the WNBL, she brings experience from playing under professional-level coaches and against top talent from around the world. Along with that, Carmody will also bring some aggression to Butler’s defense. Her style of play and talent will help her start her collegiate career on a high note as she makes a strong case for a spot on the All-Freshman Team.

#4 Butler will upset UConn at Hinkle

Butler has yet to beat the Huskies in the teams’ six meetings. UConn is coming off a season where they went undefeated in conference play and made it to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. With key players returning and a talented class of first-years, the Huskies remain a force to be reckoned with. The last time UConn came to Hinkle, they beat the Bulldogs 80-47. However, Butler has been slowly closing the gap, losing its last game with the Huskies by only 26 points after leading in the first quarter. This year, the game falls on Senior Day. If the Bulldogs can get everything to fall into place — with some Hinkle magic — then they have a strong chance of finally getting a win over UConn.

#5 The Bulldogs will make it to the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament

Last season, Butler’s run in the tournament was cut short after losing to Providence in the first round. The last time the team made it to the quarterfinals was during the 2019-20 season, where they lost 83-57 to Seton Hall. This year, the Bulldogs will look to enjoy a strong run in the tournament with their key players returning and the addition of new talent. If Parkinson and his team can find postseason success, the changes the program underwent will have paid off. It will also show the conference that Butler is a force to be reckoned with.

The Bulldogs are entering the season with a roster full of young talent and experienced upperclassmen. If everything clicks together, then the team has the potential to record their best season since 2019-20. Look for Butler to have a breakout season as they enter their third year under Parkinson.