Butler Ready for Final Four Battle with VCU

HOUSTON -- Let the hype end and the hoops begin anew.

Butler went through its Final Four open practice session here in Reliant Stadium Friday, somewhat overshadowed by the presence of their mascot bulldog, Blue II, who mugged for the cameras and conducted interviews through his master, Butler alumnus and the school‘s director of web marketing, Michael Kaltenmark.

It’s possible that Blue II may end as the country’s most popular dog since Lassie.

But his fame will only hit another level if the basketball-playing Bulldogs can dispatch Virginia Commonwealth University in Saturday’s national semifinal, then come back Monday night to beat the winner of Kentucky-Connecticut in the national championship game.

First things first. VCU, from the Colonial Athletic Association, is the hottest team in Houston, having gone from the First Four to the Final Four with five straight victories, four of them by sizeable margins.

Despite having the Final Four experience of reaching the championship game a year ago in Lucas Oil Stadium, the Horizon League champion Bulldogs (27-9) know the Rams (28-11) will be one tough out.

“They’re a great team,” said Butler guard Chase Stigall. “They’re skilled guys. They’re skilled in the post and they have guys who like to shoot. They like to push the ball up the court, and they wouldn’t be here if they weren’t a great team.”

Then again, so is Butler.

“Butler is as sound as anybody we’ve played all year,” said VCU Coach Shaka Smart. “They’re just not going to start playing your way because you ask them to, you have to force them to. That’s going to be a battle of wills.”

CBS broadcaster Jim Nantz Friday referred to Butler as “America’s team.” Certainly, the game with VCU should be “America’s game,” with two teams from non-BCS leagues matched up for the first time since the tournament expanded in 1984. It’s also an eighth-seed (Butler) versus a No. 11. Got to love those long-shots.

The game also pits two of the brightest young coaches in the country. Butler’s Brad Stevens is 34, Smart 33.

VCU is led by rugged senior forward Brandon Skeen, lightning quick point guard Joey Rodriguez, shooting guard Brandon Burgess and Brandon Rozzell off the bench.

Butler’s go-to guys will again be forward Matt Howard and guard Shelvin Mack, but the Bulldogs have both thrived and survived with timely contributions from virtually every player given the opportunity. A key matchup will be Butler’s Ronald Nored against Rodriguez.

VCU likes to shoot three-pointers and set school and conference records in that category. Butler’s task will be to cover the shooters but not let the versatile Skeen rule the post.

“We’ve done a good job of that at times throughout the tournament and not as good at times,” said Stevens. “If we’re not as good tomorrow, we’ll probably get beaten very quickly, very early. We’ve really got to do a good job of getting to the shooters.”

However it turns out, Stevens let it be known how proud he is of his team’s accomplishments.

“The results that you get from getting the trophy, from cutting down the nets, from making it back to a Final Four are great,” he said. “But in these runs, the way teams come together and the fight you have to show to get there, those intangibles are so much greater.”

Time to play. Tip is 6:09 (EST) and CBS will do the telecast.

ODDS AND ENDS -- Butler and VCU have met only once before, in 1970. Butler won that game in Hinkle Fieldhouse, 99-97 …Butler’s 13-game winning streak is the nation’s longest … Matt Howard has started a Butler record 13 NCAA tournament games … Shelvin Mack needs five points to become the first Butler player to score 200 points in tournament play … The Bulldogs are 8-1 on neutral courts with their only loss to Duke in New Jersey in December … Butler’s 60 wins over the last two years are a school record … Butler’s seniors have won 116 games … VCU’s seniors have won 103.