The head coach has changed, but Butler keep rolling along. New Head Coach Brad Stevens was elvated from assistant when Todd Lichlighter left for Iowa and the Bulldog tradition just keeps getting stronger. Many programs seem to falter when a new head coach comes in, however, at some schools the program just gets stronger. It is a testament to two things. First a commitment by the schools athletic administration and also the ability to promote from within.
Butler is fresh off winning the Great Alaskan Shootout. Not only did they beat Bob Knight and Texas Tech, but they dismantled them with superior team play and accurate marksmanship. Knight said it best “they play extremely smart basketball, they take advantage of what they can do and they do it very wel.” Butler made 16 three pointers in the championship game and shattered the tournament record with 47 (an average of over 15 makes per game). Butler is now 6-0 under their new head coach.
The tradition has grown through the years at Butler. However, it was Barry Collier who took it to another level (before leaving for Nebraska). He was followed for one year by Thad Matta (left for Xavier) and then Lichlighter. Now that Barry Collier is back as the athletic director there is no doubt that Butler will be a team that could wrest the title of “best mid major” team from Gonzaga.
Another team that would argue that is right down the road in Carbondale, Illinois. Coach Chris Lowery had an impressive weekend, albeit losing in the finals to USC in the Anaheim Classic. Even though graduation hit the Salukis hard they still like a team to be reckoned with. Preceding Lowery at the helm was Matt Painter (left for Purdue). However, it all started with Bruce Webber. He set the stage for the success that has followed prior to his departure for Illinois. Also, credit the administration for supplying resources and the intelligence to promote from within.
Tulsa is a program that seems to be back on the right footing under third year coach Doug Wojcik. The former Michigan State assistant has them pointed in the positive direction. But for you basketball historians you will recall that Tulsa basketball was put on the map by Nolan Richardson and then kept on the upper level by Tubby Smith, Bill Self, Steve Robinson and Buzz Peterson. Five great coaches who benefited from an administration that knew what it was doing.
Please don’t think I am disrespecting the achievments of George Mason, Gonzaga or Creighton. But for the most part it was the same coach who has built and maintained those programs.
