Butler head coach Thad Matta brings his Bulldogs to the Fertitta Center for a Saturday afternoon fight against the Houston Cougars. Butler is vastly improving since a bad loss early in the season to Austin Peay. The Bulldogs have won six in a row, including solid wins against SMU, Northwestern, and Mississippi State. They come to Houston with a 7-1 overall record for the Big 12-Big East Battle.

I am impressed with their size. They have big guards and long forwards capable of shooting the ball (41% from beyond the arc). Their best shooter is Iowa transfer Patrick McCaffery. He is shooting 50% (24/48) from three and is at his best when he is on the right side of the floor, shooting from the right corner or wing.

They have numerous candidates for the Head of the Snake. For this one, I will go with graduate forward Jahmyl Telfort. He is a three-level scorer and a rare “180 Shooter” (50% FG, 45% 3pt, 86% FT). He is a strong, big-bodied forward who can shoot from outside or bully smaller defenders in the paint.

Butler is well-coached and reminds me a lot of San Diego State. Multiple guys can score in different ways based on how they are being defended. Butler is tough-minded and plays good defense. I believe the Coogs will be extremely focused for this game and the coaching staff will have them ready to go.

I think the Coogs will start a new winning streak on Saturday afternoon, but it likely will not be easy.

Butler Offense Notes

• Butler has several guys that can score in multiple ways. The Coogs will need to adjust if someone gets hot.
• Patrick McCaffery LOVES to shoot the three-pointer from the right side of the floor. The Coogs should force him to put the ball on the floor. NO OPEN LOOKS!!
• Jahmyl Telfort and Pierre Brooks II are excellent at getting into the paint to score. The Coogs must be physical with them (without fouling) to keep them out of the paint and off the free-throw line.
• Eastern Illinois got a ton of deflections on defense at Butler earlier this week. Those will likely be steals for Houston.
• I think Butler will struggle against UH’s blitz in the pick-and-roll. They are a bit “turnover happy,” and I don’t think they have seen the pressure that Houston will present.

Butler Defense Notes

• Butler is primarily a halfcourt, man-to-man team.
• Augusta Cassiá and Andre Screen are solid shot-blockers. The Coogs will need to be aware of where they are at all times.
• Finley Bizjack is a pesky guard defender.
• This week in practice, Houston has been working on pushing the ball in transition to create early offense. It will be crucial for them to attack the paint and look to score or kick out for open shots.

Personnel (* Indicates Probable Starters)

#11 – Jahmyl Telfort – 6’7″ – GR – Forward – (Northeastern) – 18ppg, 4rpg, 3apg

• Strong/athletic forward;
• Three-level scorer;
• Outstanding shooter from beyond the arc, but also great at attacking the paint to draw fouls.

#21 – Pierre Brooks II – 6’6″ – SR – Forward – (Michigan State) – 15ppg, 5rpg

• Thick build/forward; Three-level scorer;
• Really solid three-point shooter;
• Likes to get it in the paint off the bounce;
• Super shifty in the paint; Defend him without fouling.

#22 – Patrick McCaffery – 6’9″ – RS SR – Forward – (Iowa) – 14ppg, 5rpg

• Long/stretch forward;
• Son of Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery and played at Iowa for 5 years;
• Really good three-point shooter. LOVES the right corner or right-wing three-point shot;
• If he drives, he is most likely to kick it out.

#0 – Augusto Cassiá – 6’8″ – SO – Forward – (NBA Global Academy/Australia)

• Long/thin forward;
• Likes the rim-run in transition;
• Capable scorer in the paint, but is at his best in transition or on put-back attempts;
• Excellent shot-blocker.

#13 – Finley Bizjack – 6’4″ – SO – Guard

• Point guard;
• Pesky defender;
• Not an elite shooter.

#12 – Kolby King – 6’2″ – JR – Guard – (Tulane)

• Quick back-up guard;
• Likes to get to the rim;
• Solid three-point shooter; 53% from 3pt;
• Could be a starter for them over Bizjack.

#23 – Andre Screen – 7’1″ – GR – Center – (Bucknell)

• Extremely long center;
• Solid shot-blocker and rebounder (leads the team in both categories);
• Not overly skilled on offense, but is capable around the paint;
• Not an outside shooting threat.

#14 – Landon Moore – 6’3″ – JR – Guard

• Thick back-up guard;
• Not a great shooter.

#33 – Boden Kapke – 6’11” – SO – Forward/Center

• Tall back-up post player;
• Not a great player; Just a big body to take up space in the paint;
• Might shoot the three, but I doubt it.

Key’s to Victory

1. Push the ball in transition. Coach Sampson emphasized offensive transition this week in practice. The Coogs must create easier offensive opportunities and can do so in transition. I would look for Milos to attack the paint, big-men rim run, and other guards sprint to the wings/corners for open three-point opportunities. I would love for the Coogs to “go small” more often to create a quicker lineup and give them more fast-break scoring chances (Milos, LJ/Mercy, Emanuel, Terrance, JoJo…5-Out…Dribble-drive).
2. Create havoc on defense. Butler will turn the ball over against pressure defense. I think the blitz on the pick-and-roll and the monster double-team will give them issues.
3. Get J’Wan involved early and often. The Coogs need to get J’Wan going on offense. I would look to play through him early in the game in the half-court.
4. Own the offensive glass. Teams are killing UH on the offensive boards. The Coogs should attack the glass and look to create extra looks on offense.
5. Toughest team wins. These are two well-coached and tough-minded teams. This needs to be a statement game for the Coogs. They must show that they are still the biggest bullies on the block. Saturday at 4:30 on ESPN2 sounds like a great opportunity for them to show that to the college basketball world!