NEW ORLEANS -- Who would have thought it, back in January, when Butler had a 14-9 record and three-game Horizon League losing streak capped by a loss at Youngstown State.
Who would have thought, two months later, Butler would still be playing while the powerhouse it lost to in last year’s national championship game, Duke, would be on the sidelines.
Well, maybe the Bulldogs didn’t actually think it, either.
But neither did they dismiss the possibility. As long as there were games to be played, they had a chance.
And 12 straight victories later, here they are in the Elite Eight, facing Florida in the Southeast Regional championship game at New Orleans Arena with a second straight trip to the Final Four just 40 minutes away.
Yes, the second-seeded Gators will be a formidable foe. Coach Billy Donovan’s team is 29-7. Florida’s frontline of Vernon Macklin (6-10, 240), Alex Tyus (6-8, 220) and Chandler Parsons (6-9, 218) is big and strong. Its backcourt of Kenny Boynton (14.1 ppg) and Erving Walker (14.8 ppg) is quick and lethal.
And while it has absolutely no bearing on Saturday’s game (CBS, 4:30 EST), there is that little matter of tournament history with Florida.
In 2000, on its way to the national championship game, Florida beat Butler in overtime in the first round of the tournament, 69-68, on a shot at the buzzer (current Butler Athletics Director Barry Collier was the Butler coach). Then again in 2007, when current coach Brad Stevens was an assistant, the Gators defeated Butler, 65-57, in the Sweet Sixteen on their way to a second straight national championship.
“I think everyone in our program is pretty aware of what’s taken place with the guys before us,” said Butler guard Ronald Nored. “I’ve gotten some texts (messages) from some of the guys on the 2000 team and some of the guys on the ‘07 team about what they went through against Florida.”
Without question, Butler (26-9) won’t shrink from the challenge. The Bulldogs -- with the tournament run last year and victories this year over top-seeded Pittsburgh and fourth-seeded Wisconsin Thursday night -- have proven their moxie and mettle.
Florida’s Donovan called Butler “the most physical team in the country. They have tough, hard-nosed guys.”
After Thursday night’s beat down by the Bulldogs, Badger guard Jordan Taylor said of Butler, “They’re scrappy, relentless. They’re just tough kids. They never quit. That’s what makes them winners.”
And while some in the media still want to portray Butler as the modern-day version of Hoosiers, Donovan is not having any of that.
“Butler has proven that they are as good as any program in the country,” he said. “You don’t get to the national championship game and as many Sweet Sixteens as they have by being a Cinderella story.”
The Bulldogs will have the services of center Andrew Smith, who suffered a sprained ankle early in the second half against Wisconsin (he did return to play). Stevens said they will give Smith rest but he is “likely to play” against Florida.
An additional lift for Butler has been provided by freshman Khyle Marshall. He’s had 13 rebounds and 13 points in Butler’s last two games.
ODDS AND ENDS -- With the win over Wisconsin, Butler has now won 9 of its last 11 games against Big Ten teams …Butler’s 12-game winning streak is its second longest under Stevens … Butler has won seven of its last nine games against ranked opponents. The only two losses are to Duke … Florida is ranked 15th in the AP poll, 13th by the coaches … Butler is now 144-31 over the last five years, winning at least 26 games in each of those seasons … Butler is 16-3 in the month of March under Stevens … Matt Howard will play in his 139th Butler game and start for the 131st time … Butler is now 16-10 all-time in tournament play … During its 12-game winning streak, Butler is surrendering just 58.7 points a game.
Tags: Butler - Men's Basketball · Horizon League - Men's Basketball
