Butler basketball is one of 12 power conference programs with a new head coach for the 2026-27 season. Former Bulldogs point guard Ronald Nored takes over a team that has finished over .500 once in the past six seasons.
As is common these days, a new coach means an almost entirely new roster. Just one returning player saw extensive court time with the Bulldogs last season. Another was lost to a season-ending injury after six games. Otherwise, it’s freshmen, transfers and returning players who have seen little action.
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The Athletic’s C.J. Moore graded the roster reconstruction of the power conference teams with new coaches, and Butler came away with “A,” along with North Carolina State, Cincinnati and Boston College.
What The Athletic says about Butler basketball’s roster under coach Ronald Nored
“Ronald Nored was also very intentional in his approach, signing five freshmen and adding only transfers with multiple years left. The Bulldogs didn’t sign any big names, but they may have landed one of the more promising international prospects. Samu Adler is an 18-year-old who was the finals MVP in the top Finnish league, which includes a good number of former college stars. The league’s MVP was former Oklahoma/Oregon/Texas Tech guard De’Vion Harmon. A transfer to watch is Samis Calderon, who rarely played for Kansas as a freshman. He’s raw but has the athleticism and tools to become a really good college wing. Nored also held on to guard Jalen Jackson, who played six games before an ankle injury ended his season. With Jackson in the starting lineup, Butler was 5-1, including a neutral-court win over Virginia. He’s a veteran who could help bring along the young guys. Butler hasn’t finished above .500 in the Big East since 2019-20. If Nored can get close and provide hope for the future, that’ll be a successful first year.”
Butler basketball roster 2026-27
(with uniform number, name, year and previous college if applicable, height)
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Butler basketball schedule 2026-27
(Big East schedule has yet to be released)
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Sat., Oct. 10: vs. Indiana State (exhibition)
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Mon., Nov. 2: vs. Lafayette
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Wed., Nov. 4: vs. Fairleigh Dickinson
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Sun., Nov. 8: at Boise State
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Fri., Nov. 13: vs. Pittsburgh
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Tues., Nov. 17: vs. Western Carolina
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Sun., Nov. 22: vs. Nebraska in Chicago
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Fri., Nov. 27: vs. Bellarmine
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Sun., Dec. 6: at North Carolina
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why Ronald Nored’s approach to building first Butler basketball roster was worth high mark
