The State of College Basketball in Indiana

Jan 14, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; Butler Bulldogs head coach Brandon Miller reacts during their NCAA basketball game against the Creighton Bluejays at the CenturyLink Center. Mandatory Credit: Dave Weaver-USA TODAY Sports

Butler Bulldogs (14-17, 4-14 Big East)

The Bulldogs season was almost doomed from the start. Legendary (at least by Butler standards) coach Brad Stevens left for the NBA in July. Before the season started, the team lost its best returning player Roosevelt Jones to a wrist injury while playing in a tournament in Australia. To put a cherry on top, Butler upped the level of competition by moving into the Big East.

There simply wasn’t much to be proud of this season with the Bulldogs. Coach Brandon Miller did a fine job, but the deck was stacked against him even before his first official practice.

The lone bright point has to be the continued development of Kellen Dunham. You could also argue that the late season emergence of freshman Andrew Chrabascz points to better days ahead for the team. There is talent on this team, but it will take time for those players to develop.

The team will lose two key players as well with Erik Fromm and Khyle Marshall both graduating. The upcoming recruiting class isn’t too promising with just a pair of three-star players who will likely have to switch positions in college.

Miller won’t be leaving anytime soon, as he will be heading into his second season has head coach. Hopefully he can turn the program around in the coming season.