Ronald Nored enjoyed a successful playing career at Butler. Now, he hopes a return to his alma mater will end its stretch of continued struggles.

Nored makes his college head coaching debut Monday night, when the Bulldogs open the season against Lafayette in Indianapolis.

Butler has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2018, having recorded just two winning seasons over the past eight years. The Bulldogs are coming off a 16-16 campaign, the last under coach Thad Matta, who decided to retire.

Enter Nored, a talented point guard and fierce defender who helped Butler reach back-to-back national championship games in 2010 and '11.

"The term 'dream job' doesn't do justice to how I feel about the opportunity to lead the Butler program," Nored said.

"No one appreciates both the responsibility and the potential that comes with this position more than me."

An uphill battle that awaits Nored and his squad. Butler was picked to finish last in the Big East preseason poll and leading scorer Finley Bizjack transferred to West Virginia.

The Bulldogs have 10 new players in the mix, along with a few notable returnees in Jalen Jackson (9.5 ppg, 3.8 apg, 3.5 rpg in 2025-26) and Drayton Jones (6.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Jackson, who started the first six games before needing season-ending ankle surgery a year ago, is also dealing with a lower-leg issue in the leadup to the opener.

Though the Bulldogs have had their issues in recent years, they'll try to win a 15th consecutive season opener.

Coming off an 11-21 season, Lafayette -- which has not posted a winning record during a full season since 2019-20 -- was picked to finish seventh among 10 teams in the Patriot League preseason poll.

Though experience appears thin for the Leopards, 6-foot-8 Shareef Jackson has returned after averaging 10.0 points (on 57.1% shooting) and 5.0 rebounds while starting all 30 games he played as a freshman last season.

"We are thrilled to have (Jackson) return," Leopards coach Mike McGarvey told The Field of 68. "He's worked on stretching his game. ... We'll utilize him anyway we can."

--Field Level Media