Kamar Baldwin drives to the basket during a game this season. Baldwin scored 12 points in Butler’s 79-69 loss to No. 11 Marquette. Jimmy Lafakis/Collegian file photo.
DREW SANDIFER | STAFF REPORTER | dsandife@butler.edu
After an impressive win against DePaul on Saturday, the Butler men’s basketball team looked to drastically improve its tournament resume with a road win over 11th-ranked Marquette.
View in Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee. pic.twitter.com/YLIAhe36uB
— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) February 21, 2019
With the Celtics playing the Bucks on Thursday, there were some very special Bulldogs in attendance. And Sean McDermott brought his A-game for them.
Sean McDermott going all Gordon Hayward in front of, well, Gordon Hayward.
— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) February 21, 2019
Brad Stevens and Gordon Hayward in attendance. pic.twitter.com/qL9ggLTWCj
— David Scaggs (@dscaggs21) February 21, 2019
But other than McDermott, there wasn’t another secondary scorer that could lead Butler to a much-needed victory.
#Butler Sean McDermott gave a great effort vs #Marquette. Anybody else?
— Rich Nye (@RichNye13) February 21, 2019
And for some Butler fans, well, it kinda felt like this.
— Victory Firelight (@ButlerVictory) February 21, 2019
But before Butler fans go hitting the panic button on a knee-jerk reaction, remember that this is a young head coach with growing players. Rome was not built over night.
.@LaVall_Jordan will be at @ButlerMBB a looong time. I used to think he’d be @umichbball next coach, but I don’t think so now. He’s good and he’ll be w/ Dawgs a while, which is fine. Great rep of program and university. pic.twitter.com/Muu4UlM68P
— One Zero Sports (@OneZeroSports) February 21, 2019
And though Butler fans may find it a longshot at this point, opposing coaches see the upside in the young Bulldogs.
"They're an NCAA tournament team."
— Marquette coach Wojo on #Butler
— David Woods (@DavidWoods007) February 21, 2019
But in order to hear their name on Selection Sunday, Butler is going to have to start winning some ball games. That trek starts when Providence comes to Hinkle on Feb. 26.