How About One More Shout Out To The Butler Bulldogs

They really made a great run that came up about 2 inches short in the end. But they were a great story to follow. I mean, how many other 13 year olds have coached in the Final Four?

NCAA Tourney National Championship Game Preview -- (1)Duke v. (5)Butler

And the Cinderella lives to fight one more time. I am just shocked Butler has been able to pull this off. Every time they win I have the same reaction, "That's great, but it's going to catch up with them now." I said it before they played Syracuse. I said it again before they played K-State. I said it one more time before the Michigan State game. Maybe it's time to give them their due and recognize that they are a damn good basketball team.

That being said, I think it's going to catch up with them now. Have you seen Duke play in this tournament? They are damn good. I think they've erased all of the bitching about them being a #1 seed. They have simply mowed down everyone that dared step in front of them. So I'll be rooting my ass off for Butler tonight, but I just don't see it happening.

DUKE BLUE DEVILS

BUTLER BULLDOGS

NCAA Tourney Final Four Preview -- (5) Michigan State v. (5) Butler

OK, let's get this out of the way: Butler is Hickory High from Hoosiers. Everyone feel better now? Can we talk about something else? Please?

Honestly, though, I am definitely rooting for Butler here (even though I was dead wrong about them). I guess it's the whole underdog thing. But they are still the same seed as Michigan State and didn't lose their best player during the tournament. Amazingly enough, the Spartans seem to be about as good without Lucas as they were with him. This could be a really interesting match-up.

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

BUTLER BULLDOGS

NCAA Tourney Sweet 16 Preview -- (1) Syracuse v. (5) Butler

Looks like all the talk of Syracuse's early demise were a little premature. I mean come on, this is Syracuse. You didn't think they'd have a couple of guys that could step up and pick up some of the slack?

I will admit, though, I was wrong about Butler. They have looked pretty good so far. But they still haven't played a big time school yet. They lucked out when Murray State beat Vandy for them. This is going to be their first real test of the tournament, and it's a doozy. I don't think they have the horses to run with 'Cuse.

SYRACUSE ORANGEMEN

BUTLER BULLDOGS

NCAA TOURNEY ROUND 1 PREVIEW -- (5) Butler v. (12) UTEP

Count me as someone not that impressed with Butler this year. I'm sorry, but if you are a top 15 teams you have no business having a single close game in the Horizon League. Beating Detroit by 5 at home and Loyola-Illinois by 1 on the road does not impress me at all. I'm taking UTEP in this game.

BUTLER BULLDOGS

UTEP MINERS