Butler basketball first quarter report card: Dawgs are surprising, who is team MVP so far?

We're more than a quarter through the 2023-24 college basketball season and the Butler is 8-2 with one game remaining before Big East play begins.

With the heart of the Bulldogs' schedule on the horizon, here are some team superlatives through the first quarter of the season.

'We took a heck of a punch.' But Butler's veterans didn't panic, finally put Cal to bed.

Team MVP: Jahmyl Telfort

Telfort may not be the team's best scorer, or the team's best defender, but his all-around game and clutch performances make him the team MVP.

Telfort impacts the game in so many ways, providing leadership and versatility as a two-way playmaker. When Butler needs a basket, Telfort has the composure to make the shot. His 3-pointer with 30 seconds left put Butler up two in regulation against Texas Tech. Telfort added the go-ahead 3-pointer with 3:24 left in overtime.

Against Cal, Telfort scored eight straight in the first overtime. Pierre Brooks II hit the dagger 3-pointer against the Golden Bears with 1:53 left. Telfort added an insurance 3 a minute later.

Telfort is second on the team in scoring (16.1 ppg) and has reached double figures in nine of 10 games. His 26 points against Texas Tech tied Brooks (26 against Penn State) for the most in a game this season. Telfort is third on the team in 3-point shooting (36.7%) and third among starters on free throws (84.8%).

His most underrated skill may be his passing. He's second on the team with 31 assists.

Team Strength: Offense

Just about every member of this Butler team can get a bucket. The Dawgs have shown high-level offensive ability in overtime games against Texas Tech and Cal, where every possession down the stretch was critical.

Brooks and Telfort have shown elite ability to get to the basket. D.J. Davis has unlimited shooting range and Posh Alexander excels at finding creases in the defense to attack with floaters or drives to the basket. Four Bulldogs are averaging double figures, with Brooks leading the way (17.0). Telfort averages 16.1, followed by Davis (12.0) and Alexander (11.4).

Per KenPom, Butler's adjusted offensive efficiency (points per 100 possessions adjusted to the quality of opposing defenses) of 112.3 ranks 49th in the nation. Last season, the Dawgs finished 224th in AOE.

That jump in offensive performance is noticeable on the court. Last season, Butler's possessions dragged at times, too often leading to a tough shot late in the shot clock. Now Butler is playing at a faster tempo (up to 129th from 277th last season), and the results are a more aesthetically pleasing brand of basketball.

Team Weakness: Rebounding

Butler's struggles on the glass were exposed in losses to Michigan State and Florida Atlantic.

The Dawgs were out-rebounded 79-62 in their losses, with opponents' offensive rebounds leading to second-chance points being an issue. Butler's offensive rebound percent allowed is 166th, putting it in the top half of Division I but far from elite.

Jalen Thomas leads Butler with 6.5 rebounds per game. Andre Screen is second with 5.6, followed by Telfort (5.1) and Alexander (4.4). Thomas and Alexander are the only players to reach double-figure rebounds in a game. Thomas had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds against Buffalo. Alexander recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against Texas Tech.

Butler's backcourt getting involved on the glass is the best way to improve. Davis and Alexander have both increased their impact on the boards. Brooks pulled down a season-high seven rebounds against Cal.

Best Offensive Player: Pierre Brooks II

After two seasons as a reserve at Michigan State, Brooks is enjoying a breakout campaign at Butler. Brooks leads the Dawgs in scoring, 3-pointers made (26), 3-point shooting (41.3%) and is first among starters, shooting 51.2% from the field.

Brooks has the strength and speed to get into the lane at will. He's athletic enough to score through contact, off balanced and with floaters. He's developed into a reliable shooter from deep, and he has the confidence to let it fly when open.

The only blemish on Brooks' season is free throw shooting. Brooks' 64.3% from the stripe is tied with Landon Moore for second worst on the team. As a high-usage player, on a team with a penchant for playing close games, poor free throw shooting could be costly down the road.

Best Defensive Player: Posh Alexander

At St. John's, Alexander became one of four players ever to win Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a freshman. The others: Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning and Patrick Ewing, pretty impressive company.

Alexander's reputation as a defender has proven to be well earned. He leads Butler with 19 steals and has a knack for getting his hands into passing lanes.

Alexander's on-ball defense has been strong, but the Dawgs have a tendency to trade baskets, especially in the second half of games. Connor Turnbull and his six-block performance against East Tennessee State and Jalen Thomas' rim protection skills also earned them consideration for best defender.

Best 3-point shooter: Pierre Brooks II

This may need some explanation. If this was the most talented 3-point shooter, the winner would be D.J. Davis. If the category was most clutch 3-pointer shooter, the winner would be Jahmyl Telfort. But if the category is simply the best, Brooks' 26 made 3s lead the team by a significant margin, and he's shooting a team-high 41.3% from deep. Davis is second with 17 3s, followed by Telfort's 11.

Best Playmaker: Posh Alexander

Alexander leads Butler with 54 assists and ranks fourth in the Big East with 5.4 assists per game. He has the vision and basketball IQ to get his teammates the ball in positions to score, and he protects the ball with more than twice the number of assists to turnovers.

Landon Moore and Finley Bizjack have shown playmaking ability in limited minutes at point guard. Telfort's playmaking from the wing has been a revelation. Telfort is second on the team with 31 assists. The senior has 19 assists over his past three games, showing an ability to find cutting teammates and run pick-and-rolls with bigs, sending lobs for his teammates to finish.

Best off the Bench: Andre Screen

All of Butler's rotation players have had moments to step into larger roles, but Screen has been the most consistent player off the bench.

Screen started his Bulldogs career 9-for-9 from the field and is shooting a team best 72.7% from the field. He's second on the team in rebounds and is third with six blocks. At 7-1, 255 pounds, Screen is difficult to move once he establishes position down low. He has a soft touch around the rim and enough strength and bounce to finish above the rim with two-handed slams. Defensively, Screen moves his feet well and does a good job of contesting shots without fouling.

Best Freshman: Finley Bizjack

Of the three freshmen, Bizjack is the only one to play in all 10 games. Boden Kapke has played in seven, while Augusto Cassia (leg) has yet to make his debut.

Bizjack went through a slight shooting slump, going 1-for-12 from 3 over his first eight games. But the 6-4 guard from Texas seems to be turning a corner. He tied his career high with six points on 2-for-4 shooting from 3 against Buffalo. He followed that with a strong eight-point first half against Cal. Bizjack is fourth on the team with 11 assists and is a capable rotation player at either guard spot.

'When he's shooting, he'll talk to me.' Finley Bizjack, mom's bond grew through basketball.

Follow IndyStar Butler Insider Akeem Glaspie on X at @THEAkeemGlaspie.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Butler basketball: Jahmyl Telfort, Pierre Brooks carry Bulldogs so far