INDIANAPOLIS — Butler started Friday night’s game slowly, ended the first half in a malaise and woke up briefly in the second half before flaming out at the end, losing 68-66 to Austin Peay at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
Butler had no answer for lightning-quick NC State transfer LJ Thomas. The 6-2 guard led all scorers with 29 points.
Patrick McCaffery led Butler with 23 points on 5-of-8 shooting from 3. Pierre Brooks II added 13 points.
Butler struggles in the paint
Playing against a mid-major program in Austin Peay, one area Butler should’ve had an advantage was on the interior. The Bulldogs had a height and strength advantage over the Governors, but one thing that can’t be measured is a team’s heart.
Austin Peay was completely unafraid of Butler’s big men, led by LJ Thomas attacking the rim at will and scoring at a high clip. Austin Peay outscored Butler 44-26 on points in the paint.
At 7-1, Andre Screen is a talented offensive threat, but despite his height, he struggles to protect the paint and contest shots without fouling. Butler could not get entry passes to Screen, making his completely ineffective on both ends of the floor. Sophomore forward Augusto Cassia has shown an ability to protect the paint, and his athleticism allows Butler to play more up tempo with him in the game.
Cassia has to emerge as Butler’s center to tighten up the team’s deficiencies.
Offensive struggles remain
Butler’s first possession was a microcosm of the issues plaguing the offense. Austin Peay’s zone extended Butler’s offense well beyond the 3-point line. The Dawgs couldn’t get the ball inside to Screen, and they all just stood around, motionless, waiting for something to happen. The possession ended in a shot-clock violation in inexcusably flat way to start a game.
Butler committed 16 turnovers to Austin Peay’s eight, leading to 23 second-chance points for the Governors. Finley Bizjack looked comfortable running the offense at times, dishing out five assists. But the Dawgs’ offense experienced extended scoreless droughts that killed any of chance of re-taking the lead.
The Dawgs need someone to step up and steady the offense. Jahmyl Telfort seems to be playing at less than 100% and limped off the court briefly before returning to the game. The Quebec native led Butler in the opener, but he had no such magic in him against Austin Peay. Brooks has struggled with his shot and turning the ball over through two games. With its two best players out of sync, it will be hard for Butler to compete with anyone, let alone the upper echelon of the Big East.
Patrick McCaffery emerging as Butler’s third option
Pierre Brooks II and Jahmyl Telfort entered the season as Butler’s unquestioned top two options on offense. With two standout players returning, questions surrounding who would become the team’s third option, replacing the offense that left once DJ Davis transferred to Washington remained.
Through two games, Iowa transfer Patrick McCaffery has emerged as a great complement to Butler’s two All-Big East forwards. McCaffery caught fire from deep in the first half, shooting 4-for-6 from 3. He finished 5-for-8 for 3, scoring 23 total points. McCaffery has scored in double digits in both of Butler’s games. He’s a strong shooter and a capable playmaker with the ball in his hands. He’s not the most explosive player, but the sixth-year forward is always under control and able to get wherever he wants to on the court.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler basketball vs Austin Peay: Patrick McCaffery gets hot, Dawgs lose
