SPORTS

Insider Q&A: Who might be on the Butler transfer horizon?

Michael Pointer
michael.pointer@indystar.com
Tyler Lewis will help offset the graduation of Alex Barlow.

Greetings Butler fans. Sorry we aren't reporting from Cleveland just before another NCAA tournament contest. I thought we were headed that way many times during the Notre Dame game. Would have been fun.

But just because the season has ended doesn't mean your interest has abated. We get that here at indystar.com. So let's talk about the recently-completed campaign – and by most measures, it was a pretty terrific season – and what lies ahead. I think the future is bright for Butler basketball, but as always, challenges remain. Let's get started.

From Chris: Do you think UMass transfer Derrick Gordon is a viable option for Butler? He would be a good fit without Alex Barlow next season.

A: This is one transfer scenario that makes sense to me. Chris Holtmann and staff would like to add another ball handler. Gordon has announced he is leaving UMass and he is eligible for next season.

I'm not sure I would want him to come in and start, even though he started all 32 games for UMass this season. His assist-to-turnover ratio was mediocre (85 assists, 79 turnovers) and his advanced metrics don't exactly blow you away. But he led the Minutemen with 49 steals and did a good job of getting to the boards for a guard, averaging 4.9 rebounds per game. He's got pretty good size at 6-3 and 205 pounds. At the very least, he would be a nice option off the bench on a depth-challenged team.

Most coaches are reluctant to comment on potential transfers due to NCAA rules. Holtmann is no different, so I can't say for sure there's any interest. For those of you that don't know, Gordon announced in April of last year he is gay. He was the first active college basketball player to do so.

From John: Is it possible any Butler assistant coaches leave the program?

A: As of now, no. Holtmann is happy with the staff and I have not heard of any assistants connected to any openings. Things can and do change. It's a commonly-held belief that Butler isn't exactly near the top end of the Big East when it comes to coaches' salaries, so it wouldn't surprise me if a staffer entertains an offer for more money at some point. (Butler is a private school and does not release salary information.) But I don't know of anything imminent.

I'll add this: Michael Lewis and Terry Johnson would like to be head coaches down the road, but I think they'll be careful. Former Butler assistant Matthew Graves is 23-41 in two seasons at South Alabama. Ouch. You want to go somewhere where you can win.

From Steve: How ready is Tyler Lewis to take over the point-guard reins next season? I also heard the Evansville center is a transfer target. True?

A: As for Lewis, he better be ready. He's the only option unless you want Roosevelt Jones playing the point full time. It's why he was brought in here. Holtmann told me a couple of times this season he was pleased with how Lewis played during practice. He was on the scout team a lot and some transfers – particularly guys who have started in the ACC – have a hard time adapting to that, but Holtmannn was pleased with Lewis. As I've stated before, I think Lewis will be an upgrade offensively over Barlow and he did a very good job of not turning the ball over while at North Carolina State. But it's hard for me to imagine him being better defensively.

As for Evansville center Egidijus Mockevicius, he will graduate from UE this May. He can transfer to another program and would be eligible immediately, from what I understand. But Evansville's season still is going on and he hasn't announced any intention of doing so. I'm not sure I'm comfortable commenting on a guy until he does. I've also heard rumors he may go back to his native Lithuania and play professionally.

But would he be a good fit with the Bulldogs? You betcha. He would be almost a perfect fit.

From the Good Doctor: Who do you think will be the favorites in the Big East next season?

A: I reserve the right to change my mind, but I like Georgetown a lot. The Hoyas had a very good freshmen class this season and D'Vauntes Smith-Rivera is one of the best combo guards in the nation. I also expect Providence to be very good if Kris Dunn comes back. That's obviously not a certainty.

There are some other intriguing teams that I wouldn't count out. Xavier has a lot of terrific young talent, but how in the heck do you replace an excellent big man (Matt Stainbrook) and point guard (Dee Davis)? Seton Hall was a train wreck this season, but will have as much talent as any team in the league if everyone returns. Marquette has a very good recruiting class coming in and I expect it to be improved. Villanova loses some important pieces, but should still be competitive. It does have the Big East co-player of the year coming back in Ryan Arcidiacono.

As for Butler: I don't expect the Bulldogs to be the preseason favorites, but I expect them to finish in the top half of the league and contend for the title. No team will have a better returning trio than Jones, Dunham and Chrabascz. The key will be making up for the defense and rebounding you lose with Barlow and Woods. Also, as good as Kelan Martin is on the offensive end, he's got to get better defensively.

From Shayne: Does Austin Etherington have another year of eligibility?

A: Yes, he does. He got an injury-redshirt year when he was at Indiana. He is expected back, but I can't see him as more than a depth guy. Holtmann didn't use him in the NCAA tournament.

Butler coach Chris Holtmann shouts instructions to his players in the first half of a 60-54 loss to Georgetown on March 3, 2015 at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

From Jim: As usual, another great article about Butler, this time on the Notre Dame game. Thank you for your coverage. I see that Indiana coach Tom Crean is recruiting one or two stud big guys. I hope Chris Holtmann is going after them as well. Gotta think big and go for the big guys or else there is NO chance of getting them. I am still in mourning - as the headline so aptly stated, "It was in our hands."

A: Thanks for the nice words. I understand the disappointment over the Notre Dame loss, but can't fault Butler's effort or tenacity. The Irish made a couple of big shots when they had to.

As for those two five-star guys that Indiana is recruiting, Butler is not in the running for them at all, from what I understand. Plus, Holtmann has been consistent for months. His first priority is getting some guards in this 2015 class. Now, if a good big man fell in their laps, would the coaches take him? Of course. But I think they want someone who can play immediately and someone who is not a project. Also keep in mind Cincinnati Moeller forward Nate Fowler is coming in and the Butler coaches like him a lot. They also feel good about their chances of landing Southport center Joey Brunk, a member of the 2016 class.

From Will: Tough way to see the season end, but obviously we're all excited for next season. How much do you know about Tyler Lewis? I'm pretty sure I remember him playing well in the NCAA tournament last year (for North Carolina State). Can he give Butler a strong starting five? Also, how long will it be until Alex Barlow gets the call for a coaching job? Could you see Holtman adding him to his staff? Thanks for making this such a fun season to follow. My dad and I love your writing.

A: Thanks for the nice words Will. As for Barlow, I doubt he's at Butler next season unless a graduate assistant position is created. Holtmann likes his current staff and I don't see any changes on the horizon. Plus, it might be good for Alex to get away and study another successful program. I think it is beneficial for all young coaches to get exposed to as many different approaches as possible. Michael Lewis and Terry Johnson worked at other programs before coming to Butler and it helped them.

As for Tyler Lewis, he has a reputation of seeing the floor well offensively and taking good care of the ball. I think offensively he will be fine. But it's difficult to imagine him playing on the same defensive level as Barlow. Plus, if you think Barlow is small, wait until you see Lewis. He makes Barlow look like the Hulk. I think he will be fine, but there will be an adjustment period. I am more concerned about who is going to take over for Kameron Woods.

That's going to do it for now. I will try to work in a couple of questions I didn't use in my next q-and-a. Keep an eye on some Butler recruiting news in the next 2-3 weeks. We'll also soon learn Butler's opponent in the inaugural Gavitt Games, a series between the Big East and Big Ten that's similar to the ACC-Big Ten challenge. Have a great weekend.