The 2016–17 Butler Bulldogs men's basketball team represented Butler University in the 2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. Their head coach was Chris Holtmann, in his third year. The Bulldogs played their home games at Hinkle Fieldhouse and were members of the Big East Conference. They finished the regular season 25–9, 12–6 in Big East play to finish in second place. They lost to Xavier in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament. The Bulldogs received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament as a No. 4 seed in the South Region. They defeated Winthrop and Middle Tennessee to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. In the Sweet Sixteen, they lost to eventual National Champion North Carolina.
On June 9, 2017, head coach Chris Holtmann left to become the head coach at Ohio State. On June 12, the school hired Milwaukee head coach and Butler alum LaVall Jordan as head coach.
Previous season The Bulldogs finished the 2015–16 season with a record of 22–11, 10–8 in Big East play to finish in a tie for fourth place. They lost in the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament to Providence. The Bulldogs received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament where they defeated Texas Tech in the first round to advance to the second round where they lost to Virginia.
Off season Prior to the season, Butler was picked to finish sixth in a poll of Big East coaches. Kelan Martin was named to the preseason All-Big East first team.
Departures NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotesKellen Dunham24G6'6"200SeniorPendleton, INGraduatedAustin Etherington0F6'6"220RS SeniorCicero, INGraduatedJordan Gathers5G6'3"205SeniorWoodland Hills, CAGraduatedRoosevelt Jones21G/F 6'4"225RS SeniorO'Fallon, ILGraduatedJackson Davis13F6'8"233SophomoreLexington, KY Transferred to Eastern Kentucky
2016 recruiting class Butler originally signed four recruits in its 2016 class which was hailed as the best recruiting class in Butler history. However, three star point guard, Howard Washington, Jr., and Butler mutually agreed to part ways in April 2016. The class is currently ranked as 45th best in the country by 247Sports.com.
Incoming transfers NameNumberPos.HeightWeightYearHometownNotesAvery Woodson0G6'2"190SeniorWaynesboro, MSTransferred from Memphis. Will be immediately eligible to play as he graduated from Memphis.Paul Jorgensen–G6'2"185SophomoreNew City, NYTransferred from George Washington. Under NCAA transfer rules, Jorgensen will have to redshirt for the 2016–17 season. Will have two years of remaining eligibility.
Roster
Schedule
!colspan=12 style=| Exhibition
!colspan=12 style=| Non-conference Regular Season
!colspan=9 style=|Big East Conference Play
!colspan=9 style="|Big East tournament
!colspan=12 style="background:#11284B; color:#FFFFFF;"| NCAA tournament
Rankings
*AP does not release post-NCAA tournament rankings
Awards Name Award(s)Kamar BaldwinLas Vegas Invitational All-Tournament TeamBig East Freshman of the Week – Dec. 12-18Big East Freshman of the Week – Jan. 15-22Big East All-Freshman TeamAndrew ChrabasczLas Vegas Invitational Most Outstanding PlayerAll-Big East First TeamKelan MartinPreseason All-Big East First TeamLas Vegas Invitational All-Tournament TeamLute Olson Award National Player of the WeekBig East Player of the Week – Dec. 12-18Big East Player of the Week – Feb. 20-26All-Big East Second Team
References