New blood will define the upcoming men’s basketball season. In his first season as a college head coach, Ronald Nored’s squad features fresh faces throughout the roster.
While the players descended on Circle City from far and wide, and their fit on the court remains to be seen, they do hold a few common threads. Nine of the 10 newcomers arrive at Butler with multiple remaining years of eligibility, fitting Nored’s desire to form not just a team, but a culture. The former four-year Bulldog point guard hopes to bring loyalty and continuity back to the program as the rest of the college basketball world delves into poaching and rentals.
Butler’s pioneer players leading that mindset are graduate guard Jalen Jackson and senior center Drayton Jones, each returning for their second and final year as Dawgs. Jackson is the engine of the Bulldogs’ offense and showed it during their three exhibition games. He led the team in scoring in all three games while dishing out the most assists as well.
Last year, after a strong early-season performance with wins over South Carolina and eventual NCAA Tournament No. 3 seed Virginia, Jackson re-aggravated an ankle injury he suffered over the summer. Surgery on the ankle knocked him out for the rest of the season, and Butler never looked the same after that.
Now, after surviving another pre-season injury scare, Jackson is ready to drive his squad for a full season, and Nored knows just how valuable he is.
“The work that he put in this summer and fall, it showed in the games we’ve played,” Nored said. “We look forward to that continuing to happen.”
While Jackson captains the backcourt, Jones will man the post. After starting all 32 games for Butler last season, Jones figures to do so again at center. Originally a South Carolina State transfer, Jones spent last season getting acclimated to Big East basketball. Now, he appears comfortable in the Bulldogs’ new run-and-gun system.
Butler will look to get up and down the floor quickly this season, opening the game up for an athletic rim-runner like Jones. In addition, the 6-foot-11 center has been working on adding a jump shot in order to better stretch the floor.
Spacing things out alongside Jones will be junior forward Treyson Anderson, a 6-foot-9 shooter. The North Dakota State transfer is penciled in as the starting power forward and is excited to play in Nored’s system.
“I like to shoot, obviously,” Anderson said. “But I also like getting out in transition. I think everyone else likes doing that too, so it fits everyone here.”
The other incoming transfer finding a spot in the starting lineup is Eduardo Klafke, hailing from Ole Miss. The junior guard was a sharpshooter last season for the Rebels, knocking down 43% of his three-pointers. While he has struggled to find his shooting stroke in the preseason, Klafke has been a sparkplug on both ends of the floor, defending, rebounding and bringing energy for the Dawgs.
“He has probably been the most competitive guy since he stepped foot on campus,” Nored said. “That’s been a joy to see.”
With Jackson and Klafke in the backcourt and Anderson holding down the interior with Jones, the final starting role remains the biggest question mark for the Bulldogs.
Junior forward Asim Djulovic got the nod in all three exhibitions, but has not adjusted to the speed of the game very quickly in his first foray into college basketball. The Serbian may receive some early season patience, but other promising options are breathing down his neck.
First-year Samu Adler boasts impressive overseas experience coming off a Finals MVP award in the top Finnish league. The young guard missed some time with a broken finger but impressed in his debut against Ohio State.
Adler found his fit seamlessly, moving the ball quickly and dishing out a team-high five assists. Standing at 6-foot-6, Adler has enough size and defensive ability for Nored to justify a three-guard starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Kansas transfer Samis Calderon presents a different skillset for Nored to consider. The sophomore forward provides size, length and raw athleticism that no other Bulldog possesses. Calderon can find his role offensively, but that is not where he sees his true value.
“I see my role on the other side of the court, playing defense,” Calderon said. “Then I’ll do my job offensively, play for the team and [make the] hard plays.”
Regardless of who earns the starting role, each and every Bulldog enters the season with a chip on their shoulder. Butler was picked dead-last in the Big East Preseason Poll, drawing little concern from the rest of the conference.
But no matter who doubts the Dawgs, they will not doubt themselves.
“We’re going to surprise a lot of people,” Anderson said.