New Look Bulldogs Add Etherington, Lose Brown

Brandon Miller's first season at the helm of the Butler Bulldogs saw its fair share of disappointment on the court. Part of those struggles were due to off-the-court discontent which has now claimed its sixth transfer of the season in Elijah Brown.

Brown looked to be a breakout star with strong showings in Butler's two exhibition games early in the year. He never turned into a consistent scorer off the bench, however, and finished the season averaging 6.8 points per game on 33.7% shooting. Brown was suspended during the team's Thanksgiving tournament but was always a part of the Bulldogs' rotation in his first collegiate season.

The son of Cleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown, Elijah left with positive words about the Butler program: "I would like to thank my coaches, teammates and the Butler community. I'm blessed to have been treated as well as I have been here at Butler by everyone involved in the basketball program."

Brown's departure adds to an exodus of Brad Stevens recruits from the program: fellow freshmen Rene Castro, Nolan Berry, and walk-on Michael Volovic in addition to Devontae Morgan and Andrew Smeathers.

On Friday, former Indiana Hoosier Austin Etherington announced his intent to transfer to Butler, somewhat softening the blow of Brown's departure. Etherington, a three-star recruit out of Arcadia, Indiana from the Class of 2011, will be eligible right away after graduating in June.

Etherington adds depth in the backcourt and will compete with Tyler Lewis in 2015 for a starting spot once Alex Barlow graduates.

The Bulldogs have three open scholarships and are focusing on West Virginia's Eron Harris as another potential addition to the program with Lexington, Kentucky forward Jackson Davis a possible late recruiting coup.