Butler 57, Mocs 46

FOUR FACTORS (plus two)

eFG%
Mocs- 38.6%
Butler- 42.6%
Advantage- Butler

TO%
Mocs- 25.2%
Butler- 16.8%
Advantage- Butler

OR%
Mocs- 24.1%
Butler- 33.3%
Advantage- Butler

FTRate
Mocs- 43.2%
Butler- 35.2%
Advantage- Mocs

FT%
Mocs- 63.2%
Butler- 57.9%
Advantage- Mocs

3PTRate
Mocs- 31.8%
Butler- 40.7%

PLAYER RATER

Overall
1) Ricky Taylor 19.4
2) Drazen Zlovaric 16.8
3) Keegan Bell 12.7
4) Omar Wattad 11.7
5) Chris Early 10.1
6) Lance Stokes 1.5
7) Z Mason 1.3
8) Jahmal Burroughs 1.1
9) Dontay Hampton 1.0
10) Rico White 0.2
11) Jared Bryant -0.8

Per 40 Minutes
1) Chris Early 28.9
2) Ricky Taylor 25.0
3) Drazen Zlovaric 19.8
4) Keegan Bell 15.4
5) Omar Wattad 13.8
6) Lance Stokes 8.3
7) Dontay Hampton 5.7
8) Z Mason 5.2
9) Jahmal Burroughs 2.3
10) Rico White 0.9
11) Jared Bryant -16.0

ANALYSIS

Someone please let me know when the offense decides to join the 2011-12 season.

The offense shot over 42% in the first half, but then shot under 28% in the second half, including not making a field goal in the final fourteen minutes. That comes out to 36.4% shooting for the game.

So far, the offense has not been able to find a way to get going. They have really struggled shooting through two games.  The good news is that the turnovers were way down. They committed just fifteen turnovers, and when compared to the first game, the TO% also dorpped drastically, which was huge considering that they were going against a much more physical defense. However, the Mocs also did not rebound anywhere near as well. They were only outrebounded by three, which is not bad considering they were playing against a big, physical Butler team, but they needed to win the rebounding battle to win this game.

The strange thing to people who follow the Mocs closely? They really succeeded at the FIRE defense. They doubled down on Andrew Smith a lot, and were able to get back on the shooters for Butler quickly, holding them to 27.3% shooting from three point range. They also played a lot of full court pressure defense and trap defense. This forced Butler to run their offense more quickly than they were comfortable with. The Mocs really played a very good defensive game. Smith wound up with 16 points and ten rebounds, while Chrishawn Hopkins ended up with 12 points.

Chase Stigall really struggled from three point range, going 0 for 6 from three point range. Then, with time winding down, Stigall hit a huge three that basically put the game away for the Bulldogs. He kept on shooting, and Stigall wound up showing that the Bulldogs still have players that have competed in the national championship game back to back years. They have poise. The Mocs lack that poise at his point. They need to get that championship moxie at some point. That will have to come with wins.

Chris Early played really well, except for he fouled out. He showed that he can play with this level, but he just couldn't stay on the floor- only playing 14 minutes. Ricky Taylor also had a significantly better day, leading the Mocs in scoring. Drazen Zlovaric also had a good day. To me, Keegan Bell looks a little out of sync so far this year. He will need to start performing a little bit better for the Mocs to turn around their 0-2 start.

The Mocs are home for their next four games against Kennesaw State, Warren Wilson, Savannah State, and Gardner-Webb. They need to have a solid home stand. The Mocs should be eager to get back home, where hopefully they will be able to find some offensive rhythm.

A tough loss tonight, but the Mocs showed that they are a solid team that just needs to find themselves offensively. When they find their offense, they should be able to be highly successful.

GO MOCS!