Men’s Basketball picked to finish 3rd in the KJCCC East Preseason Poll

It is a new year with a new coach and a new team for the Butler Grizzly men's basketball program, who was picked to finish third in the KJCCC East Preseason Poll.

Head coach Kyle Fisher took over the men's basketball program in April and has been working nonstop trying to build a team that will compete at a high level this upcoming season.

"Preseason polls are always interesting. There are a number of quality teams in the Jayhawk Conference, especially the Jayhawk East. I really like our team and expect to be competitive every single night. REgardless of the coacehs poll, we have high expectations for this program moving forward," said Fisher.

Butler returns only two players from last year's roster, both of which were big contributors last season for the Grizzlies. Juwan White and Kamron Brice are the lone returners from last year's team who finished 16-14 overall and 9-11 in KJCCC play.

White appeared in 26 games and got the start in 23 games as a freshman and averaged 12.2 points per game while playing 26.6 minutes per game. Kamron Brice starting 16 of his 25 games played and averaged just over 10 points per game playing 22.6 minutes per game.

"We have two returners on the roster from last year, it was a complete makeover.  Although those two have been through a year in the Jayhawk, they are basically new as well.  We have 15 guys who are learning a completely different system.  We have a number of transfers who have played at high level schools – both NCAA Div. 1 and Junior College transfers.  So, having a number of older guys with quality experience is pretty valuable," said Fisher.

Effort and toughness will be the main focus for coach Fisher and his team this year hoping to build a team that works hard and competes at a high and consistent level night in and night out.

"This team has shown consistent effort and toughness," mentioned Fisher. "That is something you need to be successful in this conference. Effort and toughness will be a staple of this program moving forward.  We have some young guys who are still learning to how to play as hard as you have to in order to be successful, but I have been excited to see guys be able to respond in tough situations."

Butler will wrap up preseason play on Saturday when they host Northern Oklahoma- Tonkawa at home for their final preseason scrimmage.

"We have had some early season success because we have had some quality practices – we have seen that carry over to success in scrimmages. I am not overly concerned with a wins/loss record in preseason.  It is only important me that compete every time we are on the floor, and that we continue to learn and get better.  So far, this group has embraced that competitive mindset," commented Fisher.

Head coach Kyle Fisher and the Grizzlies open up the season at home against Kansas Wesleyan JV on Saturday, November 2 at 7:00pm.