Butler notebook: Kelan Martin's honor shows he's better coming off bench

INDIANAPOLIS – If Kelan Martin keeps playing like this, he might never be allowed to start another Butler basketball game.

The junior forward was chosen Monday as Big East Player of the Week, capping Butler’s 5-1 February that began with him benched for an entire half at Marquette. He scored one point in that game.

He had 22 points and eight rebounds in Wednesday’s 74-66 win at No. 2 Villanova, scoring nine points in an 18-0 run that decided the outcome. He added 25 points and seven rebounds in Sunday’s 88-79 win at Xavier, including one 95-second span in which he scored 10 points. He was 6-of-12 on 3s in the two games.

Martin came off the bench for all of his freshman season and 19 games last year, and came off the bench in all February games.

“I think just coming off the bench is best for me and our team,” he said. “Bringing energy.”

• DOYEL: How coming off the bench is a blessing for Kelan Martin

Martin’s weekly award is his second this season, joining Dec. 19 recognition after an 83-78 win over Indiana. However, in offensive efficiency ratings by kenpom.com, his three highest have all come in the past three games: DePaul (134), Villanova (139) and Xavier (140).

He said he has concentrated on improving efficiency. Maybe that does not mean taking 15 shots himself, he said, but making enough passes to produce the team’s best shot.

“And I’ve been doing that these past three games,” Martin said.

Also for Butler, freshman Kamar Baldwin was among five players selected to the weekly honor roll.

The Bulldogs (23-6) will take a 12-5 Big East record into Saturday’s senior day game against Seton Hall (18-10, 8-8) at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Butler, as No. 2 seed in the Big East tournament at New York, will play a quarterfinal at 7 p.m. on March 9 against the 7/10 winner.

Butler climbs to 13th in AP poll

Butler advanced nine spots to No. 13 in The Associated Press poll and seven spots to No. 15 in the USA Today Coaches’ poll.

Butler’s highest AP ranking this season was 11th on Jan. 23.

The Bulldogs are 10th in Ratings Percentage Index and have the nation’s most Top 50 wins (10, tied with Villanova) and Top 100 wins (17, tied with No. 1 Kansas). Butler is trying to build a resume strong enough to merit assignment to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament March 17 and 19.

Etc.

Former Butler guard Rotnei Clarke of the Illawarra Hawks won Best Sixth Man Award in Australia’s National Basketball League. Clarke, the MVP in 2014, averaged 17.4 points a game. Illawarra trails Perth 1-0 in the best-of-five Grand Final playoff series. …Butler, which awards fewer than the maximum 12.6 track scholarships, nearly pulled off a Big East indoor title. DePaul won with 146 points, followed by Marquette (135) and Butler (128) at Staten Island, N.Y. “There was a contagious energy in this group, and the execution was flawless,” Butler coach Matt Roe said. Erik Peterson was outstanding track performer, winning the 3,000 meters in 8:05.00 and 5,000 in 14:14.59. Other champions were Johnny Leverenz in the 800 (1:49.81) and Wade Walder in the heptathlon (4,553). … Butler left-hander Jeff Schank is Big East baseball Pitcher of the Week. In seven shutout innings, he allowed one hit and struck out 12 during a 3-2 victory at Alcorn State.

Call IndyStar reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195. Follow him on Twitter: @DavidWoods007.