WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This time the last-second shot went in. And so, the streak lives.
Thanks to Matt Howard.
Thanks to the Butler Bulldogs.
Seven years in a row, the Horizon League has now advanced a team in NCAA Tournament play. It’s the only non-BCS conference to do so.
Howard, who provided one great effort play after another throughout a thrilling second-round matchup against Colonial Athletic Association champion Old Dominion Thursday at the Verizon Center, grabbed an offensive rebound and put in a short shot off the glass a blink before the final horn to give the eighth-seeded Bulldogs a 60-58 victory and advance them into Saturday’s third round against Southeast Regional top-seed Pittsburgh.
You may recall that in Butler’s last tournament game, the 2010 national championship against Duke last April at Lucas Oil Stadium, Gordon Hayward’s 46-foot shot at the buzzer was just inches off the mark, allowing the Blue Devils to escape the a 61-59 triumph and the title.
So, okay, Howard’s shot was from about 41 feet closer.
“It’s pretty easy when it’s just you, the ball and the rim,” said Butler’s super senior forward.
“Easy” is a relative term. And this was anything but.
“It was a man’s game,” said Old Dominion coach Blaine Taylor.
Consider, too, that Butler held a 58-52 lead with 2:43 to play but saw it slip, slip, slip away. ODU’s Kent Bazemore finally tied it at 58 with two free throws with 32 seconds left.
The Bulldogs eschewed a time out (they had three left). Shawn Vanzant, who admitted afterward he missed the play call and was in the wrong position, nonetheless had the ball as the clock slipped inside 10 seconds. He drove toward the right baseline and stumbled, instinctively throwing the ball toward the basket rather than risk a traveling violation.
“A high IQ play,” said Butler head coach Brad Stevens.
Andrew Smith, who battled foul trouble and a cut over his right eye that sent him to the bench during the stretch run, leaped and batted the ball over two ODU defenders. The ball went to Howard who put it up and off the glass as the horn sounded. After a slight delay so the referees could confirm the shot beat the buzzer, Butler’s celebration commenced.
And the NCAA/CBS/Turner/Tru had their first big TV moment of the tournament. SportsCenter had its play of the day.
Butler was in foul trouble throughout the game (ninth-seeded ODU enjoyed a 27-11 advantage in free throw attempts) and made just 7 of 26 three-pointers. But the Bulldogs more than measured up on the glass against the Monarchs, who led the nation in rebounding margin coming in.
Butler outrebounded Old Dominion, 32-29, with an 18-13 edge in offensive rebounding. Butler’s leading offensive rebounder? None other than junior Garrett Butcher, who had five. Butcher did not play in last year’s tournament run.
Howard and Shelvin Mack each finished with 15 points while Smith had 11 and six rebounds.
There were 10 ties and 22 lead changes. The game was so close that in 33 of the 40 minutes, the teams were separated by no more than three points.
“That was two really good teams playing a really hard fought game,” said Butler’s Stevens. “That’s what you would envision an 8-9 game to be.”
“This game will give your heart an extra beat and it can break your heart,” said ODU’s Taylor. “Right now we’re heartbroken.”
Butler’s last three tournament games have been decided by two points.
“I know we’re only 40 minutes into the tournament, but no one can be more tournament tested than we are,” said Stevens. “You just have to believe and have to give everything you have and give it together.”
ODDS AND ENDS -- Butler has now won six of its last seven opening-round tournament games … Butler trailed at the half, 29-27, and now is 2-4 in such games … The Bulldogs didn’t shoot their first three throw until 11:28 remained in the second half … Butler has a 10-game winning streak and the Bulldogs are 14-10 in 11 NCAA appearances … ODU’s 16 field goals were their second fewest this season. Their 21 made free throws were their third most.
