[Cracked Sidewalks] Jimmy Butler commits to Marquette

[CrackedSidewalksSays]

Jimmy Butler commits to Marquette

Written by: NY Warrior

Over on Scout.com, IWB just confirmed this morning's Des Moines Register report by Rick Brown that  6'5" Jimmy Butler from Tyler Junior College committed to Marquette University.

Butler, originally from Tomball, Texas, is a teammate of current MU recruit Joseph Fulce at Tyler JC.  Like Fulce, Butler will have three years of eligibility remaining upon enrolling at Marquette.

With Scott Christopherson's departure (he is headed to Iowa State) adding Butler to the current freshman class will help balance out the roster for Coach Williams.  Butler, who can play three positions on the floor, will also offer MU a great deal of flexibility in the backcourt and small forward slots.

Congrats Jimmy, and welcome to Marquette University -- and congrats to Buzz Williams for securing his first recruit as head coach.

This article from the Tyler paper offers more detail on Butler.

With props to bma725 over at MUScoop, here's the low-down on the talented Mr. Butler, who was an honorable mention JUCO All-American this season.  Fulce was a second-team JUCO All-American.

Not much info out there on him because he's a JUCO, but he's a good player. 6'5, somewhat skinny. Truly a combo guard, he's probably more natural as a 2, but has good court vision and can play the 1 as well. Good shot from the perimeter, can score in bunches. Was Tyler's leading scorer this year and just had some absurd games. NJCAA All American Honorable Mention.

No academic issues, full qualifier out of high school, wanted to go to Mississippi State but they ran out of scholarships and he chose to go the JUCO route rather than signing with a low D1 school or going to a Prep School. Currently has offers from Kentucky, Clemson, Mississippi State and Iowa State. He's already made visits to Mississippi State and Iowa State.

http://www.crackedsidewalks.com/2008/04/jimmy-butler-commits-to-marquette_17.html

[ToddRosiakSays]

MU moves quickly, signs Butler

Written by: Todd Rosiak

The Marquette Golden Eagles welcomed one recruit and bid adieu to another on Wednesday, signing junior-college swingman Jimmy Butler to a national letter of intent while also granting high-school guard Tyshawn Taylor a release from his.
The 6-foot-6, 215-pound Butler is the second player from Tyler (Tex.) Junior College to be added to MU's revamped 2008 recruiting class, joining roommate Joseph Fulce, who signed with the Golden Eagles last fall and on Tuesday reaffirmed his commitment to new coach Buzz Williams.
A native of Tomball, Tex., Butler led Tyler in scoring at 18.2 points per game while also pulling down 7.7 rebounds and dishing out 3.1 assists. He shot 54.8% overall, 42.2% from three-point range (19 for 45) and 71.3% from the free-throw line (154 for 216).
Butler, who along with Fulce was named an NJCAA All-American, also had scholarship offers from Kentucky, Iowa State and Mississippi State. He and Fulce will have three years of eligibility at MU.
"Out of all the schools that recruited me, they had the best academic program," said Butler. "The style that Coach Buzz has, that really fits me. Night in and night out you've got a lot of competition (in the Big East), and they're a winning program."
Butler likely projects as a shooting guard and small forward at MU, which figures to be a lot longer and more athletic with he and the 6-6, 210-pound Fulce now in the mix on the wing. His best game this past season came in Tyler's finale, a triple-overtime loss to Panola College in which he poured in 43 points and also grabbed 10 rebounds for the Apaches, who finished with a 25-4 record.

"I think the best thing he does is he's very versatile," said Williams. "He became one of the most sought-after players in the country this year. He can do a lot of different things, similar to players that are currently on our team. You always want so sign guys whose bodies, skill set and athleticism never restricts them to only being able to do one thing."



http://blogs.jsonline.com/muhoops/archive/2008/04/16/mu-moves-quickly-signs-butler.aspx

[Pakuni]

"Butler, who along with Fulce was named an NJCAA All-American, also had scholarship offers from Kentucky, Iowa State and Mississippi State."

After seeing TC getting spanked by Tom Izzo time and time again on the recruiting trail (Mo Ager, Shannon Brown, Chris Hill) it's nice to see that our new coach can beat out his mentor for some talent. 

[mviale]

This team is going to be Big and Athletic - feeling like Louisville better watch out

[spartan3186]

Not that I like TC but he did beat out Izzo on Dominic James...

[warthogdriver]

this seems like a good get for us. good riddance to taylor and his coach.

tom crean is a real d**k

[rocky_warrior]

Ok, I've updated the scholarship table removing Taylor and adding Butler.
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8

A few other thoughts:
- It seems really odd to add two players with 3 years of eligibility in one recruiting class.  I'm not complaining -- both sound like good kids and good players.  Does this happen often?  I Just don't remember it at MU.

- I'm glad to see Buzz get a guy over Kentucky.  Though it doesn't look like they were going after him hard (or at all?).

- Agree with looking more like UL in the future.  Of course, we have to see if these kids are as good as advertised -- in the high Div 1 setting.

Don't like losing Taylor, but Butler sounds like a scorer, and a good get.  Curious what will come with the last scholarship -- since I can't see Buzz banking it with 3 more to fill for next year (+ Erik Williams coming).

[Pakuni]

Not that I like TC but he did beat out Izzo on Dominic James...

You sure?
As I recall, once Travis Walton committed to MSU, Izzo stopped recruiting DJ.

[MUViking]

Not that I like TC but he did beat out Izzo on Dominic James...

You sure?
As I recall, once Travis Walton committed to MSU, Izzo stopped recruiting DJ.

Izzo took Walton when it was clear Crean had beaten him to the punch with James. 

[chapman]

I agree that with three more to give next year, plus Williams already coming in addition, banking a scholarship isn't desirable.  If someone would leave the team and one is banked, then you're looking at 5 openings and 6 new players in the 09 class.  If anyone can be found (particularly, but not limited to the 1 or 5) I say add them if they have potential to contribute.  But either way you've got to love our roster for next year.

[Tugg Speedman]

- Agree with looking more like UL in the future.  Of course, we have to see if these kids are as good as advertised in the high Div 1 setting.

Are we sure we are going to have a lot of Juco's in the future?  Or, is this a one-oft year due to coaching turnover and defections?

[bilsu]

Lloyd walton and Jerome Whitehead played three years at MU, after transferring from junior colleges.

[CTWarrior]

- It seems really odd to add two players with 3 years of eligibility in one

I think it is good as it helps balance out the classes.  There was just two in the soph class now with Mbakwe and Hazel.

[jce]

This team is going to be Big and Athletic - feeling like Louisville better watch out

They might be, but Butler is 6'5", which isn't exactly huge.

[jce]

Ok, I've updated the scholarship table removing Taylor and adding Butler.
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8

A few other thoughts:
- It seems really odd to add two players with 3 years of eligibility in one recruiting class.  I'm not complaining -- both sound like good kids and good players.  Does this happen often?  I Just don't remember it at MU.

- I'm glad to see Buzz get a guy over Kentucky.  Though it doesn't look like they were going after him hard (or at all?).

- Agree with looking more like UL in the future.  Of course, we have to see if these kids are as good as advertised -- in the high Div 1 setting.

Don't like losing Taylor, but Butler sounds like a scorer, and a good get.  Curious what will come with the last scholarship -- since I can't see Buzz banking it with 3 more to fill for next year (+ Erik Williams coming).

So even though TT is keeping his options open, you are counting him out already???   

[Henry Sugar]

Ok, I've updated the scholarship table removing Taylor and adding Butler.
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8

One of my favorite things about MUScoop is the scholarship table.  Thanks for updating it.

[1990Warrior]

Anyone know Fulce and Butler's stat lines from last year?

[esotericmindguy]

Ok, I've updated the scholarship table removing Taylor and adding Butler.
http://www.muscoop.com/index.php?page=8

A few other thoughts:
- It seems really odd to add two players with 3 years of eligibility in one recruiting class.  I'm not complaining -- both sound like good kids and good players.  Does this happen often?  I Just don't remember it at MU.

- I'm glad to see Buzz get a guy over Kentucky.  Though it doesn't look like they were going after him hard (or at all?).

- Agree with looking more like UL in the future.  Of course, we have to see if these kids are as good as advertised -- in the high Div 1 setting.

Don't like losing Taylor, but Butler sounds like a scorer, and a good get.  Curious what will come with the last scholarship -- since I can't see Buzz banking it with 3 more to fill for next year (+ Erik Williams coming).

So even though TT is keeping his options open, you are counting him out already???   

He's gone, his coach obviously doesn't want him to attend Marquette.  Willing to bet he committs to IU in the next week.

[Avenue Commons]

Sounds a lot like Blackledge, a JUCO transfer, skinny, athletic, etc.

[Ready2Fly]

Does anyone have any video of Butler like the Cracked Sidewalks video of Fulce posted yesterday?

[RawdogDX]

Sounds a lot like Blackledge, a JUCO transfer, skinny, athletic, etc.

except they are 3 inches off, people say butler can handle the ball at a pg level and knows how to shoot.

[Pardner]

Sounds a lot like Blackledge, a JUCO transfer, skinny, athletic, etc.

except they are 3 inches off, people say butler can handle the ball at a pg level and knows how to shoot.

Plus, Jimmy will have an extra year to develop.  Always thought Trend would have been so much better if he had that extra year to mature and be molded.

[rocky_warrior]

Sounds a lot like Blackledge, a JUCO transfer, skinny, athletic, etc.

I'm curious about size.  I've seen Butler listed at 6'5" & 6'6" & 215 lbs.  Fulce is listed as 6'6" & 6'7" and 210 lbs.  Anybody have a picture of the two next to each other?

[MUViking]

Sounds a lot like Blackledge, a JUCO transfer, skinny, athletic, etc.

Butler is NOTHING like Blackledge.  He is a pure scorer and a good ball handler.  His skill set is a lot greater than Blackledge, and they are totally different players.

[NYWarrior]

Sounds a lot like Blackledge, a JUCO transfer, skinny, athletic, etc.

Butler is NOTHING like Blackledge.  He is a pure scorer and a good ball handler.  His skill set is a lot greater than Blackledge, and they are totally different players.

Good.  And after a season where Butler won't have to do much of anything (if he contributes substantaily this winter its a bonus, or MU had a key injury)-- he'll be ready to help in 09-10 and beyond.