INDIANAPOLIS -- It's a day of preparation for both Butler and Cleveland State. While the Bulldogs have a quick turnaround, prepping for top-seeded Pittsburgh, the Vikings have known their opponent for the last few days - it was the game time that was the unknown. With times set, Horizon League fans now have the opportunity for a Saturday full of basketball, with Cleveland State hosting College of Charleston at 2 p.m. ET on ESPNU and Butler meeting Pitt at 7:10 p.m. ET that evening on TBS.
Both in-season tournaments and the Horizon League Championship help prepare teams for the quick turnaround; both Cleveland State and Butler participated in tournaments with less than 24 hours between games, making installing a game plan and learning about an opponent's tendencies difficult. In both cases, though, each team went unscathed through the tournament - Cleveland State at the World Vision Classic and Butler at the Diamond Head Classic. When it came to the Horizon League Tournament, it was the Bulldogs who emerged victorious after having 48 hours to craft a game plan for Milwaukee in the championship game.
Now, those preparations are ramped up, with each game carrying the added importance of staying alive in the postseason.
The shot fell for Butler this time, writes Bill Benner. The game-winning play by Matt Howard could have fallen apart on three different occasions, pens Dana O'Neil. O'Neil also mentions that Andrew Smith could be the Butler player to watch in the years to come.
The game felt right out of Butler's 2010 Tournament playbook, Indianapolis Star Butler beat writer David Woods scribes.
Howard tells WISH-TV's Ashley Adamson that the game-winner will be something to remember down the road.
March Madness started quickly, according to Chris Chase. Jeff Goodman says the Bulldogs rarely pass the "eye test," but Butler keeps winning.
Dan Steinberg at the D.C. Sports Bog profiles the hero, Howard. Tim Layden, who penned a stirring look at last year's NCAA title game in this week's Sports Illustrated, shares similar stories about Howard's bike-riding exploits in his dispatch from D.C.
The NCAA Tournament brings about joy and despair at the same time, says John Feinstein.
Garrett Butcher joins the long list of Butler tournament heroes, says Woods. That Butcher is playing despite extremely limited time in practice is remarkable.
Old Dominion just could not solve the Butler defense.
