Daily Athenaeum Wrote:Butler is an all-time great for WVU
By Tony Dobies
Published: Sunday, January 31, 2010
Updated: Sunday, January 31, 2010

There may never be a player at West Virginia to score more points than Jerry West.

There might never be another player who overtakes his title as West Virginia University’s greatest athlete.

There may never even be a player to do what "Hot Rod" Hundley was able to do in his time at WVU, either.

If there’s a current player deserving of his own legacy when he leaves West Virginia, though, it’s Da’Sean Butler.

The senior forward will never be considered the greatest player to put on a WVU jersey (unless, maybe, a black jersey). But, 20 years down the road, Butler will be considered one of the best players the Mountaineer program has ever seen – and not because of scoring alone.

Behind West and Hundley, Butler is one of the best all-around players the West Virginia program has ever had.

His statistics and play on the court prove that.

Butler has been nothing but positive for the West Virginia basketball program since he arrived in Morgantown from Newark, N.J.

He has averaged 10 points or more per game in each season at WVU – and scoring isn’t even his best asset.

When Butler ends his career, he will likely end up in top five in scoring, top 10 in offensive rebounding, top 20 in assists and top 15 in steals. He does a little bit of everything, from scoring and rebounding to assists and ball handling.

More than anything, Butler is a leader – one of the best WVU has had in recent memory.

Sophomore point guard Truck Bryant said Butler is the best player he’s ever played with and by far the best leader.

Butler is at his best, as he showed again against Louisville Saturday, in the waning minutes of a close game.

WVU head coach Bob Huggins knew who was going to take the shot. Louisville knew who it was going to be. So did the media and the fans across the country.

Butler was going to take it.

And, once again, he made it.

It was the second time this season Butler has made a game-winning jump shot to win a Big East Conference game.

On Dec. 29, Butler dribbled down the court and threw up a near 3-pointer to finish off Marquette.

He did the same against the Cardinals Saturday, hitting the baseline jumper off of an in-bounds play with 16 seconds to go.

He’s had even more halftime buzzer beaters, too.

It might not even be those last-minute shots that makes Butler such a clutch player. It’s his on-court demeanor during those times.

Because he’s been in so many of those situations, he’s helped lead his team to become more composed and relaxed at those times.

Butler said he tries to joke around with his teammates in those circumstances and calm them down despite the intensity.

It’s a genius tactic considering WVU might be the most clutch team in the country right now.

When it comes down to a clutch shot, I want Butler on my team.

Butler isn’t the most athletic player even on this team. He isn’t the best NBA prospect, either.

What he is, though, is a great college basketball player.

One thing that could cement Butler’s legend would be an NCAA Tournament run in his senior season.

Leading WVU to a Final Four finish would, without a doubt, put his name up alongside West and Hundley some day.

He’s earned it.