I Like Jimmy Butler

[jce]

Look, the guy is not going to be a scoring option this year, and I don't know if he ever will be, but I really like the way he plays.  He is a very good defender, and really hustles.  This is exactly the type of guy that Buzz seems to be recruiting...long...athletic...versus some of the undersized guards like Cooby and Acker that TC liked.

I also like the way Hazel plays, though I think that his minutes will actually decrease in the coming years considering who we have coming up.  I just wish that Fulce and Otule were better options.

[muarmy81]

I like that he's starting to look for his shot a bit more.  The first jumper he took against NOVA, his defender was practically under the basket as he was sagging off so much...daring him to shoot.  As the season progresses I think he'll start developing a little more of a scorer's mentality but it will always be tough to find shots when you're the 5th option on the floor. 

edit:  He's also not a liability at the free throw line late in the game and can rebound well for his size/position.

[jt92]

Honestly, I don't think he is very good and everytime he came in Nova went on a run.  Our bench is very weak.

[MR.HAYWARD]

he is in no way as good as Jerel or Wes and yes we do drop off a little when he comes in.  But how many first year players in the BE are??!!   But he seems to get it and I agree with Muarmy 81 he is right

[Badgerhater]

Butler will have some games where he will go 0-4, but he will also have games where he will go 5-8 with a couple of FTs and suddenly he has 13 points and everyone will wonder where that came from.  Every role player has his game ala Dan Fitzgerald in the 2007 BE tourney, or Coobie last spring against Pitt.

The D-1 game probably still moves a million miles a minute for Butler.   What I do like about him is that he was a scorer and knows that if he shot the ball like a scorer, he would never get off the bench.   That shows me he knows his abilities and plays within them.  If he can continue to vacuum up 7 boards a game, the team will be quite happy.

[ChicosBailBonds]

he is in no way as good as Jerel or Wes and yes we do drop off a little when he comes in.  But how many first year players in the BE are??!!   But he seems to get it and I agree with Muarmy 81 he is right

Exactly why next year will be tough...."how many first year players in the BE are"

Butler will come around eventually, he has the luxury of not having to be spectacular or even above average.


So far so good with this team.  Cincy is another must win.  We HAVE to start the season no worse then 3-1.

[MarquetteDano]

Look, the guy is not going to be a scoring option this year, and I don't know if he ever will be, but I really like the way he plays.  He is a very good defender, and really hustles.  This is exactly the type of guy that Buzz seems to be recruiting...long...athletic...versus some of the undersized guards like Cooby and Acker that TC liked.

I also like the way Hazel plays, though I think that his minutes will actually decrease in the coming years considering who we have coming up.  I just wish that Fulce and Otule were better options.

I like him as well, but he is not a good defender.  In fact, at this point I would say he was below average.  He is still young, though, and I expect him to improve.  He is an amazing offensive rebounder for his size.

[RedWebster]

I think he's a good pick up for MU. Right now, he may be a little over-whelmed (who wouldn't be?), but he'll get his confidence and I can see him having some games where he contributes 8 to 10 points. He's definitely got it in him.

[Pardner]

He really has improved his D--getting better each game.  Has a nice stroke and knows how to distribute the ball.  His length gives us match-up advantages.  He needs to shoot it, though, when the opportunity comes his way within the O.  Teams are learning to peel off him as he is reluctant to pop it.  If it is late in the shot clock and you have a good look, shoot it Jimmy!

[avid1010]

I like him too...not sure why some people love to find any deficiency they can.  He's led the team in boards numerous times, including against Nova (in 15min. of floor time).  No one has any clue what he is capable of scoring wise because he's not a first, second or third option when he's on the floor.  Often times he's the fifth option.  So Buzz asks him to get boards and play defense, and he goes out and does just that.  What's the problem?

[jce]

Yep on all counts.  No one they brought in this year was going to be a real heavy option on the offensive end.  They just needed someone who can give you minutes off the bench and do the "hustle things" that role players need to do.  He is filling that role quite nicely.

[Daniel]

His 7 boards were huge - esepcailly in the number of minutes he played.  I think he will get more comfortable with taking his shot - he passed up some opporutntiies to shoot to look for a pass off etc. against VU, but he definitely has improved defensively a  lot, and rebounding is something we really really need in the BEast - so all in all, I like the kid and I think he will be putting some numbers up for us soon too.

[bilsu]

I like Butler. He plays within his role and does not force shots. I think you will see a different role for him next year. I think as a sophomore junior college transfer he is ahead of the JC transfers Crean got and they were juniors. Possible exception was Jackson who had a bad ankle his junior year.

[bs4173]

I'm so glad somebody brought this up. I've been thinking Jimmy's a great addition for a while, and especially so after V'nova. He seems to have the right instincts, and, geez, he's out-rebounding Hazel, and has just as many per game as Otule and Fulce. And to whomever said he wasn't a scoring threat--big deal, because nobody is outside of the "Big 4." In fact, he's our 5th-best scorer with about 4 ppg.

The best part is the fact that he showed up for his first BE game while the rest of the bench arguably did not. He's like a Wesley, Jr (errr, Wesley III) out there.

[Big Papi]

Exactly why next year will be tough...."how many first year players in the BE are"

Why don't we worry about next year, next year.  No need to rehash what TC did to this program to put us into that situation.

You are sure starting to bring up next year a lot in your comments.  I hope you don't become Murf like and bring it up in every single thread.

[Pardner]

And to whomever said he wasn't a scoring threat--big deal, because nobody is outside of the "Big 4."

As I said earlier, Jimmy is adapting great...here is the thing though on O...when he is in, he is the 3rd or 4th option.  Yes, he is doing what Buzz wants him to concentrate on...but towards the end of the shot clock when he has an open look, he needs to shoot it.  He has a nice stroke.  No harm.  Happened twice yesterday and he had nice looks both times he passed up with a few ticks on the clock.

Word gets around the BE circle of coaches fast.  Nova was sagging on him as they know he is hesitant to shoot from the perimeter which causes double teams on others.  Buzz needs to let him pop a few so the defenses respect his offensive talent.  That said, he has a knack to sneak in a grab the O board when they do sag which has been very effective.

[avid1010]

Exactly why next year will be tough...."how many first year players in the BE are"

I believe the class Buzz has coming in next year should compare to the class TC had with the three current seniors.  How did they do in their first year in the Big East?  With Hayward providing the offensive production that Novak did we'll need the incoming class to produce similar to the way the three amigos did.  Hopefully Fulce, Otule, Butler, Acker, Hazel, Cuby and Liam will have "some" experience as well.

[mviale]

He is better than a former Mr Wisconsin that transferred.

[MR.HAYWARD]

i have said that since day 1 we got Butler in exchange for Christopherson.  Butler will contribute this year and be ready to be a major contributor next year.  Chrsitopherson would have been firmyl seated next to Frozena this year maybe actually between Frozena and Fr. Kelly.  He was no where near BE material, in fact i have stated he was Horizon league at best.  That has been rebutted with ..he transferred to Iowa state...absolute waste of a scholie by ISU...he will never play. 

[nycwarrior]

Apologies cause i posted this on TT's stats thread as well but I like Jimmy Butler as well.

He seems to have a knack for finding gaps in the opposing defense which is exactly what you need when you have teammates that other teams are going to want to double-team off the bounce.

Don't see any reason why he can't come in an keep getting the sneaky offensive rebounds he already is and then keep sagging defenders more honest by hitting a few 15 footers.

A couple buckets a half and a couple trips to the line from Butler and Fulce filling gaps and we are a much better team. Potentially 6-8 points a game better. That's the kind of improvement that's not accounted for in our current stats (tempo free or otherwise) that could make the difference between 9-9 and 11-7 in the Big East.

[Nukem2]

i have said that since day 1 we got Butler in exchange for Christopherson.  Butler will contribute this year and be ready to be a major contributor next year.  Chrsitopherson would have been firmyl seated next to Frozena this year maybe actually between Frozena and Fr. Kelly.  He was no where near BE material, in fact i have stated he was Horizon league at best.  That has been rebutted with ..he transferred to Iowa state...absolute waste of a scholie by ISU...he will never play. 

Think you are being a bit harsh on SC.  No, he'll never start at ISU (barring injuries/transfers) and I think ISU has already recruited more guards. But, he'll fill a role as a designated shooter.  He should have gone to a mid-major school though.

[MR.HAYWARD]

how is that different than what i said and if he will never even start at ISU how is he not a waste at MU?  yet another DII player in a long line of them recruited by our former coach

but then again he made Dwade so him Making SC would not have been a stretch either

[Big Papi]

I think you guys are way to harsh on SC.  For being a freshmen on a somewhat deep team last year, he actually played and contributed some.  His shining moment was that 5 minute stretch last year against Cincy that lit a spark when we were in all likelihood headed for a devastating loss. 

He is not a starting guard for a North Carolina or Kansas type team but I think he would an ideal backup guard for a whole lot of top 25 teams who gives a team 10-15 minutes of solid basketball with the ability to nail some long range bombs that could send a team to victory.  Nothing wrong with having good role players.  I actually don't see Jimmy Butler more than a solid role player either.  The only difference between SC and Butler is that SC is more of a 2 who can handle the ball some and Butler is more of a 3 who can slide over to the 2 position when needed.

[MR.HAYWARD]

you sir are giving Sc way too much credit Butler is 100x the ball handler SC was.  he for a guard had a terrible handle and little strength or size for D1.  H e was a UW- satelite school talent.