Bringing back the spirit of Butler--
Honolulu AdvertiserIn Indianapolis, Butler is one of the big boys--
USA TodayDid Mighty Oaks confront NCAA champion at Butler?--
Princeton Daily ClarionButler close to Indiana hoops lore--
USA TodayButler presence adds spice to Final Four--
St. Louis Post-DispatchHow much will Indianapolis lose from Butler?--
Rivals.comFinal Four Welcomes Butler To Its Own Hometown--
NPRButler fans, students and even the governor relish regional win--
USA TodayA tough out: Butler primed to prove it belongs among elite--
USA TodayFinal Four Likability Index--
ESPN.comThe Butler bonus: compatibility--
ESPN.comThe Document--
The Mid-MajorityDoes Home Court at the Final Four Help?--
Rush The CourtTournament Preview--
Basketball ProspectusButler's Hayward in Final Four's most important player--
Sporting NewsButler the team, now the time for major mid-major breakthrough--
CBSSports.comThe six most outrageous styles from the NCAA tournament--
Rivals.com
THE 'STACHE
Butler players all originally planned to grow mustaches for a late-season game against Valparaiso, but they abandoned the plan immediately upon realizing how ridiculous they looked. Well, all except junior Matt Howard, who opted to keep his wispy mustache for the remainder of the season.
Howard's 'stache has developed somewhat of a cult following, evoking comparisons to Adam Morrison and even earning a facebook page in its honor.
"The mustache is awesome," guard Ronald Nored said. "I love it."
Four players who've raised their games en route to Final Four--
Sporting NewsStorylines from the Final Four--
Ballin' is a HabitFinal Four has team-oriented look--
FanhouseFive reasons why Butler won’t win it all--
College Hoops JournalTourney Thoughts: A Final Four of smartest, toughest -- and luckiest--
Sports IllustratedIndiana legend Plump connects Butler with “Hoosiers”--
The Chicago TribuneHayward has made a habit out of making key plays--
The Post-TribuneSix-Mile Road--
The NWI TimesButler students get 2nd chance to score tickets--
The Indy StarPlayers, Stevens trade trash talk--
The Indy StarNew Castle pipeline has been good for Butler--
The Indy StarBulldogs keep hitting the books--
The Indy StarButler's newfound fame: Everyone's a fan now--
The Indy StarNCAA blog 19: All Butler, all the time--
Indy Star Butler InsiderSOLD OUT: Final Four Student Tickets--
ButlerSports.comTUESDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO--
ButlerSports.comFinal Four Press Conference Coverage--
ButlerSports.com
Looking ahead: With extra size, Cleveland State basketball hopes for big things in 2010-11--
Cleveland Plain DealerKlein To Participate in WNBA Free Agent Camp--
csuvikings.com
How MSU can put the Bulldogs back on a leash--
The Detroit Free PressFollow Mulroy to Indianapolis For The 22nd Annual State Farm Three Point Championships--
detroittitans.com
Former Loyola captain recalls social significance of 1963 national title--
The Chicago TribuneRival Horizon League coaches hope to capitalize on Butler’s success--
The Chicago TribuneMaggie McCloskey To Compete At 22nd Annual State Farm College Slam Dunk And Three-Point Championships--
LoyolaRamblers.com
Photos: Tod Kowalczyk's UWGB coaching career--
Green Bay Press GazetteWho'll follow Kowalczyk as UWGB's coach?--
Green Bay Press GazetteMike Vandermause column: Kowalczyk leaves, underappreciated--
Green Bay Press GazetteKowalczyk leaves UWGB for 'better opportunity' at Toledo--
Green Bay Press GazetteUWGB's Kowalczyk takes Toledo job--
UWGB BasketballKowalczyk: Toledo is "a better opportunity to be successful"--
UWGB BasketballUWGB recruit Cerroni sticking by the Phoenix--
UWGB BasketballCandidates for UWGB lining up already--
UWGB BasketballWrapping up day one of UWGB's coaching search--
UWGB BasketballGreen Bay to Begin Men's Basketball Head Coaching Search--
uwgbathletics.com
McCafferty Trophy Update--
Panther Blog ZoneA Few Men's Basketball Things--
Panther Blog Zone
Head Coach Homer Drew, Bryce Drew And Valparaiso University Score A Recruiting Coup, And Land Class Of 2010 Oswego East Star Jay Harris Of Illinois Old School--
ChicagoHoops.comGueye backs off commitment to play at Valpo--
The Post-TribuneMoussa Gueye decommits from Valparaiso--
Off The MarkNCAA Men's Basketball Tournament--
The NWI Times
Horizon League commish says home-court tournament likely to stay--
Mark Katz's Blog
Comeback Player: YSU's Blocker gets national award for cancer fight--
Youngstown Vindicator
Horizon League puts its stamp on Indianapolis with permanent signage--
The Horizon LeagueHorizon League Network airing exclusive NCAA Final Four Coverage--
The Horizon LeagueYSU's Dallas Blocker Named Recipient of V Foundation Comeback Award--
The Horizon LeagueMen's Basketball Final Four Update--
The Horizon League
Butler rallies to beat top-seeded Syracuse 63-59--
MICentralSports.comK-State, Butler, Kentucky, West Virginia advance--
MICentralSports.comRTC (Sorta) Live: Sweet Sixteen Day One--
Rush The CourtRTC Region by Region Tidbits: 03.25.10--
Rush The Court
West Region (Andrew Murawa)
...
* With Butler knocking off Syracuse on Thursday night, they are now one game away from playing in the Final Four in their hometown, and regardless of the outcome on Saturday, they’ll be heading back to Indianapolis. The Bulldogs got several huge (and somewhat fortunate) plays by senior Willie Veasley down the stretch.
ATB: Where to Begin? Another Tremendous Thursday…--
Rush The CourtNCAA Tournament 2010: Why Cornell, Butler, Washington and Xavier Have a Chance--
College Hoops JournalButler wins, but did Syracuse beat themselves?--
Ballin' is a HabitThis was the breakthrough victory Butler has been seeking--
Rivals.comBig game for Mack's mom--
The Indy StarButler advances to Elite Eight for 1st time--
The Indy StarForget 'Hoosiers'; these 'Dogs are for real--
The Indy StarNCAA blog 13: Butler students boycott 'Orange'--
Indy Star Butler InsiderNCAA blog 14: Hinkle paved path to Elite 8--
Indy Star Butler InsiderBUTLER 63, SYRACUSE 59--
THE unOFFICIAL BUTLER BULLDOGS MEN'S BASKETBALL PAGEButler Headed To Elite Eight--
ButlerSports.comWomen'sBasketball Players Honored At Annual Banquet--
detroittitans.comMen's basketball: Toledo reportedly interested in Kowalczyk--
Green Bay Press GazetteUWGB's Kowalczyk could be a candidate at Toledo--
UWGB BasketballUWGB women basketball get to the second round--
UWGB Fourth EstateCurrent, Future Panthers Collect Postseason Honors--
uwmpanthers.comButler knocks of Syracuse 63-59 to reach Regional Finals for first time--
The Horizon LeagueNCAA Tournament 3rd Round - Butler vs. Syracuse--
Horizon League NetworkButler's Defense: Underrated--
Horizon League NetworkImpressive Show of Support for Butler--
Horizon League Network
Butler: Continuum--
The Mid-MajorityBoeheim familiar with Butler's best--
Salt Lake TribuneSweet Sixteen Game Analysis: Thursday Night--
Rush The CourtSweet 16 Breakdown: The West Region--
Ballin' is a Habit
Thursday 7:07 pm: (1) Syracuse vs. (5) Butler
On paper, this looks like a terrible matchup for the Bulldogs. A lot of people wrote off Butler early in the season after watching them struggle against much of their premiere competition. The knock? The Bulldogs can't handle the size and athleticism of the best teams in the country.
Butler is probably the smallest team left in the tournament. Gordon Hayward, their three man, is the tallest player that sees minutes. Their center -- Matt Howard -- is 6'8", a land warrior, and as foul prone as any player in the country. Their power forward is the same height as the Syracuse back court.
As you might imagine, that's a problem.
Syracuse is big. Even if Arinze Onuaku's quad isn't ready to go on Thursday, they are big (UPDATE: Jim Boeheim has announced that Onuaku will not, in fact, be playing tomorrow). Rick Jackson was one of the most underrated players in the Big East this past season. A lefty, Jackson is a good rebounder and a solid post scorer. He blocks his share of shots, and shouldn't have an issue matching up with Howard. If Onuaku is ready to go, Butler is going to be in some trouble. How are they going to defend and rebound against that much size?
The paint isn't the only place Syracuse is big.
Wes Johnson and Kris Joseph are both 6'7" and athletic with long arms. Andy Rautins, Scoop Jardine, and Brandon Triche are all big, physical guards that love to get in the passing lanes on the perimeter. Add in the fact that Butler doesn't have a lot of great shooter, and you can see how this team might struggle against a zone with that much length that can force turnovers.
Should I even mention that Johnson played his best game of the season on Sunday? He went for 31 points and 14 boards, hit a season high four threes, and was as aggressive offensively as we have seen him.
Having said all of that, Butler is a tough team that plays hard, smart basketball. But eventually, athletic talent will outweigh effort.
Snarky Sweet 16 preview: Xs and Oranges and more Dogs and Cats--
College Hoops JournalWhy is Syracuse's zone so good? Practice--
The Indy StarCollier has 2nd wave of success with Butler--
The Indy StarButler has opportunity to gain national prominence--
The Indy StarNCAA blog 12: Butler needs 3s by Hayward--
Indy Star Butler InsiderBulldogs Make Fourth NCAA Sweet 16 Appearance--
ButlerSports.com
UWGB women's basketball notebook: Divilbiss rediscovers the joy of coaching--
Green Bay Press GazetteNCAA women's basketball: UWGB loses to Iowa State 60-56--
Green Bay Press GazetteLaur, McClain Earn All-State Recognition--
uwmpanthers.comWheeler coach Jones first excelled as a player in Valparaiso--
The NWI TimesVacant women's coaching job attracts many applicants--
The JambarHorizon League Network previews Butler vs. Syracuse--
The Horizon LeagueSyracuse Beatable--
Horizon League Network
Formula For Success: Sweet 16 Edition--
Rush The Court
West Region- #1 Syracuse vs. #5 Butler
If Syracuse advances: The Orange dodged this very bullet on Sunday when Rick Jackson picked up his third foul in the middle of the first half, but Syracuse absolutely must keep Jackson on the floor for 32-35 minutes of this game given Arinze Onuaku isn’t ready to play. Not that Butler has an assembly line of bruising big bodies, but Jackson is the one clear matchup advantage for Jim Boeheim and Co. If DaShonte Riley is forced into more crucial minutes and Matt Howard stays on the floor, Butler may be in line to pull off the upset. This could all be rendered moot if Syracuse shoots the lights out again. Their three main guards and swingman Wes Johnson put on an absolute clinic against Gonzaga. Just continue to do what they’ve been doing- score efficiently, knock down perimeter jumpers with Rautins and Johnson and have their two-headed point guard monster control and push at the right times.
If Butler advances: Butler needs Gordon Hayward to hit perimeter jumpers against the 2-3 zone. A 45% long range shooter as a freshman, Hayward has dipped to a woeful 28% this season and is 1-10 in the NCAA Tournament. Hayward and point guard Shelvin Mack opening up the zone by hitting from deep all of a sudden puts Butler in the driver’s seat. It’s been repeated ad nauseam by anyone that’s watched Butler on a regular basis, but they must keep Matt Howard on the floor against Rick Jackson. Howard had more foul difficulties against Murray State, but the play of Mack and Ronald Nored helped send the Bulldogs to Syracuse. Howard is the only legitimate post presence coach Brad Stevens can throw at Syracuse’s big men. Controlling the Orange transition game is also key.
RTC Region by Region Tidbits: 03.23.10--
Rush The Court
West Region (Andrew Murawa)
* Here we are, a couple of days away from the start of the Sweet 16 round and Syracuse is a likely favorite to play in the national championship game in two weeks, a lofty set of expectations that were entirely unlikely four and a half months ago when expectations for the Orange were low, and got even lower with an exhibition loss to LeMoyne.
* While Syracuse is led by a Hall-of-Fame head coach, their opponent in the Sweet 16 has a coach that is younger than Jim Boeheim’s coaching career. Butler head coach Brad Stevens is 33; Boeheim is in his 34th year as the Syracuse coach. Nevertheless, Stevens has his Bulldogs a weekend away from potentially playing in the Final Four down the street from the school’s campus.
Sweet 16: Best Frontcourts and Backcourts--
Ballin' is a Habit
BEST FRONTCOURTS
...
Coldest: Matt Howard, Willie Veasley, Gordon Hayward, and Avery Jukes - Butler
Butler doesn't have a great front line by any stretch of the imagination. Matt Howard has been a bit of a disappointment this season, struggling to avoid foul trouble all season long. Howard did not play well in either of the first two games, and played just 18 minutes against the smaller Murray State Racers as Butler went small for much of the second half. Gordon Hayward may be the tallest Bulldog on the court, but he is a two-guard at heart. But he has still struggled in the two games, shooting just 6-21 from the field, 1-10 from three, and averaging just 12.5 ppg. Butler is going to need Hayward and Howard to play well if they have a chance against Syracuse.
Butler relies on continuity to make tourney run--
Rivals.comRanking and seeding the remaining 16--
College Hoops Journal
8) Butler. The story line to follow with this team is that it’s based out of Indianapolis. That just so happens to be where the Final Four is. If Butler manages to beat Syracuse — and it most certainly can — then the little factoid above will really start to spread. Why Butler makes the top half of our list: dynamic play. This team can hit from outside with ridiculous efficiency but also has crafty big men in future pro Gordon Hayward and solid-but-foul-prone Matt Howard. Syracuse’s Onuaku will be needed more against Butler than any other opponent in the field except Kentucky.
Butler's Mack not eye-popping but effective--
The Indy StarNo longer underdogs, Butler learns to roll with punches--
The NWI TimesNCAA blog 11: No travel problems for Dawgs--
Indy Star Butler InsiderBulldogs Make Fourth NCAA Sweet 16 Appearance--
ButlerSports.comMarch ‘09 Edition of the Viking Report--
Let's Go Vikes!
Women’s Basketball Season Ends In NCAA First Round
Vikings Win 19 Games For Third Straight Season
Cleveland State’s postseason run came to an end in the opening round of the NCAA Championships when the 15th-seeded Vikings fell at second-seeded Notre Dame, 86-58, on Sunday (March 21). It marked the second time in the last three seasons that CSU was playing in the NCAA tournament after claiming the Horizon League Championship with wins over UIC, Green Bay and Butler.
“I am so proud of my team and everything that we accomplished this season,” head coach Kate Peterson Abiad said. “The team believed in the goals we set and worked hard to accomplish them. We had an outstanding group of four seniors who carried us down the stretch and we will really miss them next year, but they showed that winning is possible at Cleveland State. They will always have a place in this program.”
Senior Kailey Klein closed her brilliant career with 31 points and eight rebounds in Sunday’s loss to the Fighting Irish. She concluded her career with 2,140 points, ranking second all-time in the Horizon League. Klein also ranked first in the CSU record books in free throws made (605), free throws attempted (762) and games started (114), while also ranking third in field goals made (686), field goals attempted (1,591), three-pointers made (163) and eighth in rebounds (733) and assists (311).
Senior Stephaine Crosley had seven points and seven rebounds in her final collegiate contest, while senior Angel Roque dished out a career-best eight assists against Notre Dame.
CSU will return seven letterwinners next season, including junior Shawnita Garland, a two-time second team All-Horizon League selection.
Iowa State escapes Wisc-Green Bay upset bid 60-56--
MICentralSports.comUWGB vs. Iowa State - NCAA Tournament (Final)--
UWGB BasketballFearless Phoenix Falls Five Points Short of Sweet 16--
uwgbathletics.comWomen's Basketball Scoreboard -- March 23 (NCAA)--
The Horizon League
Mid-major uprising hardly biggest NCAA surprise--
MICentralSports.comRTC Region by Region Tidbits: 03.21.10--
Rush The Court
West Region Notes (Andrew Murawa)
* Butler has advanced to their third Sweet 16 in eight years, and while they will be a big underdog to Syracuse on Thursday, they’ve shed the Cinderella label.
Redemption Weekend--
Ballin' is a Habit
Butler, like Michigan State, was a sexy preseason pick that failed to live up to lifty expectations.
Or so people thought.
Butler, who is fast becoming the Gonzaga of the Midwest, loaded their non-conference schedule, and proceeded to lose to just about everyone. Yes, they beat Ohio State, but that win came without Evan Turner. Yes, they beat Xavier, but that win was marred by a decision by the officials to end the game due to a timing issue.
Prior to the start of the tournament, not many people believed that Butler had what it took to make it to the Sweet 16, let alone get out of the first round.
Yet, here the Bulldogs are. The knock on Brad Stevens' crew coming in was that they were unable to handle the athleticism of a power program. Well, they seemed to have answered those doubts by running -- or more accurately shooting -- an long and athletic UTEP team out of the gym in the second half of their first round game. Against Murray State, it was prototypical Butler, playing their stout defense and executing just well enough offensively to win a game.
The Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them in the Sweet 16, as they get a Syracuse team that seems to have rediscovered their stride. But even with a loss to the Orange, Butler has proven themselves to a lot of their detractors.
Stevens says Orange are as good as anyone--
The Indy StarBarlow shuts off Vikings' scoring machine--
The Indy StarHorizon star no match for Irish--
The Post-TribuneCleveland State bounced from NCAA women's tourney by Notre Dame, 86-58--
Cleveland Plain DealerVikings Fall In NCAA First Round, 86-58 At Notre Dame--
csuvikings.comGreen Bay upsets Virginia in first round--
The Detroit NewsMen's basketball: UWGB needs to slow Reed in CBI--
Green Bay Press GazetteMike Vandermause column: Phoenix's Cotton is easy to root for--
Green Bay Press GazetteWomen's NCAA notebook: UWGB's Ritchie shines in the spotlight--
Green Bay Press GazetteNCAA women's basketball tournament: UWGB proves it belongs, beats Virginia--
Green Bay Press GazetteNCAA Tournament -- UWGB vs. Virginia (Final)--
UWGB BasketballGreen Bay Moves On With 69-67 Upset of Virginia--
uwgbathletics.comMen's Basketball National Postseason Update--
The Horizon LeagueESPN.com: Hoewisch heads up 'Green Bay Way'--
The Horizon League
