INDIANAPOLIS – LaVall Jordan made his Hinkle Fieldhouse coaching debut Saturday, and Butler played defense much like the Butler teams he once represented.

The Bulldogs limited Hanover to 24 percent shooting and used Sean McDermott’s 14 points to grind out a 68-36 victory in an exhibition game before a crowd of 7,571.

Hanover has not beaten Butler in 108 years, and was not winning this one. Yet, this could have been a dangerous opponent.

The Panthers, No. 7 in NCAA Division III preseason rankings, are coming off a 26-4 season in which they reached the Elite Eight of the national tournament. Forward Wes McKinney — Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference’s player of the year and top scorer (18.7) – was limited to four points on 1-of-11 shooting.

Hanover is the alma mater of the late Joe Brunk, a two-time NAIA All-American who ranks as the No. 6 scorer in Hanover history. During one timeout, Butler paid tribute to Brunk, whose son, Joey, is a Bulldogs center.

“The fact we could honor his legacy, I thought it was tremendous,” Jordan said.

Butler’s top returning scorer, Kelan Martin, had five points on 2-of-9 shooting. Jordan was unconcerned and cited Martin’s rebounds (team-leading six) and decision-making.

“I thought he played a solid floor game,” Jordan said. “His defensive energy was really good.”

Three takeaways:

Butler defense is … well, the same

The coach is new. The defense is not.

“Butler stays Butler. Nothing really changed,” McDermott said. “Still the same concepts.”

Granted, Hanover was overmatched in size and quickness. But in the half-court, the Panthers’ offense was largely confined to passing the ball around the perimeter and launching a 3-pointer.

Length and speed of Bullodgs guards Kamar Baldwin and freshman Aaron Thompson could regularly disrupt opposing backcourts. Thompson had three steals (in 19 minutes) and Baldwin two.

Jordan credited the Bulldogs with being attentive — “as coachable” as any group he has been around — and implementing what they learn from practice and film study.

“Going on into the game, they’re fully engaged,” the coach said.

McDermott shows growth

McDermott is reminiscent of Drew Streicher, a long-armed former Butler player who was 3-and-D before it was trendy. Streicher could defend and make 3-pointers, and so can McDermott, who shot 6-of-9. The sophomore from Pendleton Heights is beginning his third year, having red-shirted as a freshman.

“I’m definitely getting more comfortable as I go,” McDermott said.

You wonder about his slender frame holding up in the Big East, but he is so fit that it might not be a handicap.

“He deserves success because of the work he’s put in in the offseason,” Jordan said. “I love the confidence he has right now. All his teammates fully trust him.”

Backcourt options

Butler, even after loss of three senior guards, has some options in the backcourt. It was Baldwin’s first college start at point guard.

“Certainly, as an opposing coach, when the basketball is in his hands, they are a threat to score right now,” Hanover coach Jon Miller said.

Paul Jorgensen started, too, but the Bulldogs also employed Thompson and sophomore wing Henry Baddley. Baddley is more slasher than shooter, but he is effective in the open floor and a strong defender. He twice scored on breakaway dunks and scored eight points.

Thompson played point guard, allowing Baldwin to play off the ball. Of the three scholarship freshmen, Thompson figures to play (by far) the most minutes.

Baldwin had only one assist but scored 10 points on 4-of-4 shooting. He is another who can apply what he learns, Jordan said.

“I thought he and A.T. did a pretty good job of managing the game,” Jordan said.

Butler’s offense was not as crisp as its defense, but that cannot all be attributed to guard play. The Bulldogs shot 22 percent (5-of-23) on 3s.

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

BUTLER 68, HANOVER 36

HANOVER — Nick White 4-5 0-0 8, Levi Buck 2-9 0-0 5, Wes McKinney 1-11 1-2 4, Colin Smith 1-2 0-0 3, Cam Fails 1-6 1-1 3, Blake Robertson 1-4 0-0 3, Jensen Kellett 1-1 0-1 3, Logan Ratts 0-4 2-2 2, Ryan Cloncs 0-0 2-2 2, John Williams 1-1 0-0 2, Isaac Hibbard 0-2 1-2 1, Jacob Brady 0-2 0-0 0, Jackson Crawford 0-2 0-0 0. Totals: 12-50 7-10 36.

BUTLER — Sean McDermott 6-9 0-0 14, Kamar Baldwin 4-4 1-1 10, Tyler Wideman 3-6 0-0 6, Kelen Martin 2-9 0-0 5, Paul Jorgensen 1-7 2-2 5, Nate Fowler 4-6 0-0 8, Henry Baddley 4-6 0-0 8, Joey Brunk 3-4 0-0 6, Aaron Thompson 2-3 0-0 4, Christian David 1-6 0-0 2, Jerald GIllens-Butler 0-4 0-0 0. Totals: 30-64 3-3 68.

Halftime: Butler 44-19. 3-point goals: Hanover 5-26 (McKinney, Buck, Smith, Robertson, Kellett), Butler 5-23 (McDermott 2, Baldwin, Martin, Jorgensen). Rebounds: Hanover 21 (White, McKinney, Smith 4), Butler: 41 (Martin 6). Assists: Hanover 8 (Smith 2), Butler 12 (McDermott 4). Turnovers: Hanover 17, Butler 12. Total fouls: Hanover 13, Butler 16. Attendance: 7,571.