Novice Coach Switches Coasts

[Zingo]

March 12, 2043, 8:55PM Butler Men's Basketball Facility, Selection Sunday

The Team was settled in with some pizza (could not come close to what Coach S. had in NY and what he also had growing up in NJ) to watch the selection tournament. Coach S. sat next to Kenny Posey and tried to get in a brief conversation with him before the program started.

"I just wanted to let you know that you've been exceptional this year. I know you'll likely want to enter the draft after such a fantastic season and of course we all fully support whatever you do, but I'd love it if you'd return for another year..."

Kenny finished swallowing a bite of pizza before responding, "Thanks Coach S., as much as I've enjoyed my time here, I feel like I need to focus on what's best for my future though," as he took another bite of pizza.

"I understand, well go out there and win this tournament for us and you'll have not only a future but you'll have a decorated past as well as you make history with this school."

Kenny smiled with his mouth full and nodded before turning his attention back to the program which was now starting.

Coach S. was incredibly happy with the team this season. Another fantastic record and Conference victory. knew that for his freshmen dynamic duo, it was a one and done. Both were incredibly high prospects for the NBA Draft and there was discussions of Posey even being the #1 pick overall. Coach S. just hoped that the team could also lift the NCAA Tournament trophy before the year ended.

The announcer got to their game on the second region "#1 Butler will play #16 Samford."



Tournament Information
March 16, 2043: Butler 32-3 (1) v.s. Samford 18-14 (16)
This is Butler's 26th NCAA Tournament appearance and third with Coach S.
This is Coach S.'s eleventh NCAA Tournament bid and thirteenth post-season tournament bid in his career.

[Zingo]

April 3, 2043, 11:17PM NCAA Tournament Finals, Courtside

Coach S. raised the NCAA Tournament trophy for the second time in his career just a few seasons removed from the team's 2040 victory. Coach S. delivered another game-winning speech to the press as the team collectively lifted the trophy.

"This is an incredible moment that comes only through the work and dedication of every young man on this stage. The players put in an incredible amount of effort this year and it showed in the result. We are forever grateful to Butler University, the City of Indianapolis, and all of our fans across the country for supporting us this year. Winning this tournament is never easy. One bad game is all it takes for the dream to be lost, but I entered this tournament with confidence in these players and coaching staff because I knew our team didn't have bad games and certainly would not be feeling the pressure from this tournament. This team approaches every game with the same mentality: win it and win the next one. Well, we won all season and marched onward to capture our second title in school history. We are Butler Men's Basketball and we are a forced to be reckoned with in the NCAA, do not forget it!"

The team cheered as confetti rained down. What a phenomenal season and a great way to cap it off, right on the heels of the team losing two stars, others emerged and carried the program to a historic year Coach S. was beaming with pride. Butler was no joke anymore and no one could say otherwise. This was a premier team that was here to stay, not some one of program that had a few good years. Coach S. basked in another glorious victory.


Trying to get trophy models without the year visible on them is quite difficult so please use your imagination in viewing this as saying "2043"

Final Record: 38-3 (18-2)
81.5 PPG, 63.2 OPPG, 20.0 APG, 38.5 RPG, NET 2



An asterisk denotes a starter.

With two great players leaving and even more notable seniors graduating, the program would be looking at rebuilding for the second consecutive year. Corey Sharpe (SO, SG) and Julian Kesper (C, JR) were entering from the transfer market and were some of the top players there. Coach S. was glad to have them provide some veteran experience and to have acquired two of the most coveted targets this offseason. All of the incoming recruits were excellent. Most of them could start immediately and likely would but of particular note was the #1 National Prospect, Steve Warhank, who would hopefully lead the team to another year of post-season glory. It remained to be seen, but Coach S. was excited about the group coming in. Recruiting had been excellent lately, even with some staff turnover and that was really a testament to this organization itself and its growth as a nationally renown program.


Butler's Men's Basketball Recruitment Class 2043

The NCAA had been abuzz over Kenny Posey, the Freshmen Small Forward who won every major award and was viewed as the centerpiece of the Butler's journey in becoming tournament champions. Posey was the first player under Coach S. to win any major NCAA Award, including the prestigious Norton Award. He would enter the draft following this season was selected in Round 1 as Pick 7.


Kenny Posey, the man, the myth, the beard.



Other Notable Facts From the Season:
NCAA Final: Butler (67) over Virginia (51). Butler claims their second NCAA Tournament Title in School History. Virginia Tech was denied what would have been their second title.
Big East Championship Game: Butler (83) over Creighton (57)
Norton Award: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
NCAA Most Outstanding Player: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 4.2 APG, 10.7 RPG, 2.3 SPG, 1.5 BPG (Tournament Stats Listed)
WS Player of the Year: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
WS Defensive Player of the Year: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
WS Freshmen of the Year: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
All-American 1st Team: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
NCAA Coach of the Year: Coach S.
Conference Player of the Year: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
Conference Defensive Player of the Year: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
Conference Freshmen of the Year: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG
All-Conference 1st Team: Kenny Posey FR, SF: 21.2 PPG, 5.3 APG, 9.9 RPG, 1.9 SPG, 1.8 BPG; Kyle Phillips SR, PF: 10.1 PPG, 2.0 APG, 7.1 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 1.0 BPG
All-Conference 2nd Team: Kris Morton FR, PG: 12.3 PPG, 4.1 APG, 2.3 RPG, 1.2 SPG, 0.4 BPG
Conference Coach of the Year: Coach S.
Team MVP[s]: Kenny Posey
Best Win: 64-54 v.s. Virginia Tech (AP #14, Tournament #5 Seed) (NCAA Tournament)
Worst Loss: 69-79 @Seton Hall
Notable Graduates: Omar Victor, Kyle Phillips, Gerald Wade, Ron Walker, KenKay Taylor
This was Coach S.'s 20th season and 7th with Butler. His overall record sits at 486-255.
Coach S. is currently 26-8 in the NCAA Tournament. This was Coach S.'s second NCAA Tournament Title.
Gerald Wade , Kyle Phillips, Kris Morton and Kenny Posey were nominees for the Norton award. Morton was a Semi-Finalist for the award. Posey, the frontrunner from the start, won the award.
Butler finished ranked #1 in the AP Poll.
Drafted Players: Kenny Posey (No. 7), Kris Morton (14), Gerald Wade (33), Kyle Phillips (35), Omar Victor (40), KenKay Taylor (44). I am fairly certain this ties an NCAA record (assuming it wasn't broken by an AI team over the duration of this association). Six players drafted ties 2012 Kentucky and 1977 UNLV.

[Zingo]

January 24, 2044, 2:37PM Butler Men's Basketball Coach's Office

Coach S. was reviewing the team's results this year and attempting to figure out how to improve. Perhaps starting Ben Bush over Jay Howard could yield some results, or maybe permitting more flexibility in the offense... He knew that this would be a rough year. With so many players graduating or entering the draft, he was essentially coaching a completely new team, most of whom were unaware of the tactics Butler employed. It had been a difficult start to the season, with Warhank basically doing his best to carry the rest of the group. Not to mention the defense this year was atrocious. But Coach S. wasn't sure if his raw talent was enough to carry this team to the NCAA Tournament.

For the first time in quite a few seasons, his concern shifted from not winning the tournament to not making the tournament. A few close losses was one thing, but the team had been trounced several times as well. Coach S. hoped things would get better, otherwise Butler might be watching from the couch this season.

Top Players (this season):
Steve Warhank (SG): 24.1 PPG, 2.6 APG, 6.4 RPG
Bucky Bratton (PG): 10.4 PPG, 5.3 APG, 2.8 RPG
Julian Kesper (C): 8.3 PPG, 1.1 APG, 8.0 RPG


Current Record: 12-6 (4-4)
77.6 PPG, 71.2 OPPG, 17.4 APG, 35.1 RPG, NET 25


Butler was invited to the NIT Tip-Off Tournament. They lost in the second match to Gonzaga 55-64.

[Wayne23]

With the new rule re transfers it's difficult to maintain a truly high level program. I expect this will be true in the real NCAA as well.

[Zingo]

I'm playing DDSCB 2021 though so the "one time transfer rule" isn't implemented in the game (assuming that is the rule you're referring to).

[Zingo]

March 12, 2044, 9:02PM Butler Men's Basketball Facility, Selection Sunday

This would likely be the first tournament in some time where Butler was not the #1 seed. It didn't really matter though. The program had an excellent finish on the season. Steve Warhank already told Coach S. and the rest of his staff about his intention to enter the draft, which made perfect sense. The National #1 HS Recruit was coming off a fantastic season and would likely be an All-American. He was already a finalist for the Norton Award.

The changes at the mid-point, specifically substituting Ben Bush, were massive in enabling the team to get over the hump. Coach S. admitted that he had underrated the coveted prospect, favoring the Junior Jay Howard over him. This was a mistake and it took a few pestering emails early in the season, and some bad game results, for Coach S. to realize this. In any event, positive adjustments were made and the team was eagerly waiting to see where they'd end up.

The waited a bit before the announcer called their name "#4 Butler will be playing #13 Belmont." The team cheered and filed out, getting ready for what should be another exciting tournament.



Tournament Information
March 17, 2044: Butler 25-8 (4) v.s. Belmont 19-13 (13)
This is Butler's 27th NCAA Tournament appearance and fifth with Coach S.
This is Coach S.'s twelth NCAA Tournament bid and fourteenth post-season tournament bid in his career.

[Wayne23]

I'm playing DDSCB 2021 though so the "one time transfer rule" isn't implemented in the game (assuming that is the rule you're referring to).

HUGE difference in 2022.

[Zingo]

April 8, 2044, 11:29AM, St. Kitts and Nevis

Coach S. walked along the beach with his beautiful wife Amy as he reflected on the season. He told himself he wouldn't think too much about basketball, but it felt inevitable. The loss to Georgetown would certainly stoke the flames of the division rivalry, it seemed like...

"Hey, we are on vacation remember?" Amy said, interrupting his anxious thoughts. She smiled warmed at him as the continued to stroll along the beach.

"It is hard not to always be thinking about it, but you're right, I should be enjoying the time here... with you," he said, smiling back before they shared a brief kiss.

Cyan was getting older, but had been left back at home with the sitter, this was meant to be a bit of a getaway for him and Amy and was much needed. While they had done vacations in the past few years, it was a different experience when they had brought their son with them. It was difficult for Coach S. and Amy to see each for more than a few days during the season, especially when there was a lot of travelling, but the offseason was their time to enjoy with each other. The island was beautiful and the tropical resort surely beat the melancholy of several years spent in Indiana.


One of the many beautiful beaches at St. Kitts and Nevis

As they sat at the bar to have lunch and a drink, Amy reneged on her earlier statement and started talking to Coach S. about basketball. Times like these made him realize how much they had in common and how much he loved her. Her season had gone much better as she led DePaul to the Women's NCAA Final Four for the second consecutive year before they lost to Tennessee. Amy was hoping her team could make a run this coming year, as she had some talented seniors graduating and some others with their eyes on the WNBA.

They sat drinking some form of alcohol (a rum mix maybe? Coach hadn't been paying attention) as they turned to overlook the beach. With all the stress that goes into a season, it was nice to have a chance for an escape. As brief as it was...

Final Record: 26-9 (14-6)
77.7 PPG, 69.1 OPPG, 17.4 APG, 35.0 RPG, NET 11



An asterisk denotes a starter.

There was one player, Rickie Sanders, joining the program out of HS. Coach S. could have recruited higher, but Rickie impressed with solid camp performances and seemed to be more likely to stay committed to the program for more than one year. Coach S. knew this contradicted his earlier views, at least those he expressed on the radio, but he needed to focus more on coaching and recruiting players who would stay longer, at least for now. Tom Tricco was a sophomore coming in at Small Forward though the transfer portal from Pitt. He wasn't great, but his potential was good enough. Still, it may have been a wasted scholarship that could've been better used elsewhere.


Butler's Men's Basketball Recruitment Class 2044

Other Notable Facts From the Season:
NCAA Final: Nevada (102) over Tennessee (92). Nevada claims their second NCAA Tournament Title in School History. Tennessee missed out on what would have been their second title.
Big East Championship Game: Butler (75) over Seton Hall (66)
All-American 1st Team: Steve Warhank FR, SG: 24.2 PPG, 2.9 APG, 6.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Conference Player of the Year: Steve Warhank FR, SG: 24.2 PPG, 2.9 APG, 6.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Conference Freshmen of the Year: Steve Warhank FR, SG: 24.2 PPG, 2.9 APG, 6.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG
All-Conference 1st Team: Steve Warhank FR, SG: 24.2 PPG, 2.9 APG, 6.4 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Team MVP[s]: Steve Warhank
Best Win: 99-93 v.s. Illinois
Worst Loss: 66-76 v.s. Georgetown (AP #16, Tournament #5)
Notable Graduates: None
This was Coach S.'s 21st season and 8th with Butler. His overall record sits at 512-264. This was his 4th Conference Title and Butler's 13th.
Coach S. is currently 27-9 in the NCAA Tournament.
Steve Warhank and Bucky Bratton were nominees for the Norton award. Warhank was a Finalist for the award.
Butler finished ranked #11 in the AP Poll.
Drafted Players: Steve Warhank (No. 1 Overall).

[Zingo]

January 15, 2045, 3:22PM Butler Men's Basketball Coach's Office

Coach S. sat in his office discussing the future of the team with First Assistant coach Dennis Jackson about the team's performance this season.

"Dennis, I understand that the defense is good, but we need to find a way to get more points if we are going to remain competitive. I mean we're 165th in the league in points per game, even if we're 3rd in points allowed, that is concerning..."

"I understand coach, I'll try to have the guys focus on shooting this coming week."

"I don't want to knock the great job you're doing on defense and obviously this is a team effort, but we do need to step it up a bit to remain competitive."

"Understood Coach S." he said as he walked out of the office.

It had been a year without any notable standouts. The team was still playing quite well, but the feeling was one of an overall well-rounded team. This concerned Coach S. He knew that one star alone couldn't carry a team to post-season glory (he saw that last year, when they only made the Round of 32 despite having Warhank, the top draft pick that year). His teams that did win the NCAA Tournament though had at least one star player along with solid performers elsewhere. This year's group seemed to be a team of only solid performers, which likely meant a solid finish, but not a championship one.

While there were a lot of positives this season, especially in the defense, which had grown fierce, some of the younger recruits hadn't been performing as well as Coach S. hoped. Rickie Sanders was having an average season at best and Bucky Bratton, in his sophomore year, was being shifted to the bench behind Jay Bass, who developed well this season. However, Bush and Kesper stepped up and made the interior a strong force for Butler, perhaps Coach S. should emphasize that in the team's strategic approach...

Top Players (this season):
Julian Kesper (C): 8.2 PPG, 1.5 APG, 8.9 RPG
Ben Bush (PF): 10.3 PPG, 1.3 APG, 6.7 RPG
Corey Sharpe (SG): 15.3 PPG, 2.9 APG, 3.4 RPG


Current Record: 14-4 (5-2)
71.6 PPG, 59.8 OPPG, 18.5 APG, 37.4 RPG, NET 29


Butler was invited to the WS Midwest Invitational (Hall of Fame Classic). They won the tournament, beating Wyoming in the final match 79-61.

[Zingo]

March 12, 2045, 9:00PM Butler Men's Basketball Facility, Selection Sunday

It felt evident that, for the past two years, Butler was no longer the best team in the Big East. However, you'd never know that if you just examined the Conference Tournament results. For the sixth consecutive year, Butler was the Conference Champion. The team of course celebrated the occasion, but all eyes remained fixated on the big tournament, the NCAA Tournament, where the team watched to see what would happen. Bucky Bratton had already declared for the draft after two lackluster season. He was a highly touted HS recruit, so Coach S. figured it was only a matter of time. Ben Bush meanwhile seemed to be growing a bit discontent with the coaching staff, a problem that occurred last year and arose again this year. It was unsure if he would transfer. Meanwhile Kesper was graduating. It seemed like Coach S. would spend another year scouring the country for talent, he just hoped he had a roster that stuck this time. But no matter, these were thoughts for after the tournament.

As everyone crowded into the room, the program began announcing who would be playing at the most prestigious event in college basketball. The announcer finally got to Butler, "Butler #2 will be playing Green Bay #15" the group cheered and began getting excited for another year in the tournament.



Tournament Information
March 17, 2045: Butler 27-7 (2) v.s. Green Bay 20-12 (15)
This is Butler's 28th NCAA Tournament appearance and fifth with Coach S.
This is Coach S.'s thirteenth NCAA Tournament bid and fifteenth post-season tournament bid in his career.