Butler basketball vs. Missouri State: Jahmyl Telfort wears Bulldogs

The extended scoring drought that Butler suffered last season once again bogged down the offense. Missouri State turned Butler’s inability to score into scoring runs of its own, highlighted by its ability to capitalize on Bulldog turnovers. Butler committed 19 turnovers, which led to 27 fewer turnovers for the Bears.

Butler’s lack of a true point guard prevented the Dawgs from mounting an attack in the halfcourt. Someone from King, Bizjack and Landon Moore needs to step up as a floor general and stabilize the offense.

Dawgs can’t take advantage of the size advantage

Four of Missouri State’s five starters were 6-4 or shorter. Bears forward Michael Osei-Bonsu is a stout 280 pounds, but he is undersized at 6-4. Forward Jalen Hampton is their tallest starter at 6-7, but he weighs just under 200 pounds.

Butler’s forward picks from preseason All-Big East selections Brooks and Telfort wouldn’t look out of place on the Butler football team. Add in 7-1 center Andre Screen, and the Bulldogs should have outplayed Mo State and dominated on the glass – but that wasn’t the case. Missouri State held strong in the first half, tying Butler with 12 points in the paint. The Dawgs struggled to protect the paint as Mo State did a good job over Butler’s size.