On The Horizon

Jim Squire

Butler Bulldogs Prove 'Experts' Wrong … Again--Bracket Fever
A perfect fit: Shawn Vanzant--Tampa Tribune
Butler’s Vanzant keeps Final Four trip in family--Rivals.com
2011 Mock Draft--NBADraft.net

24

Oklahoma Cty Oklahoma Cty

Shelvin Mack

6-2

215

PG/SG

Butler

Butler assistant reportedly interested--Flyer Connection
Butler's Bulldog Spa Date -- Ruff Life!--TMZ
For Ford, Cinderella's slipper fits on both feet--Rivals High
Ex-Albion star enjoying Butler's tourney run--Battle Creek Enquirer
The Establishment is under attack--ESPN
Khyle Marshall flourishes in NCAAs--ESPN
Final Four runs huge off the court, too--ESPN
'First losers' back for another shot at Final Four--MICentralSports.com
A look at Saturday's Final Four games--MICentralSports.com
The unexpected foursome arrives for Final Four--MICentralSports.com
Running down an unexpectedly exciting Final Four--MICentralSports.com
The Beautiful--The Mid-Majority
NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.30.11--Rush The Court

Butler

* An interesting read about whether head coach Brad Stevens and VCU head coach Shaka Smart should stay at their respective schools or leave for a more lucrative offer. We believe that they both should stay put and continue to build on the runs their teams have gone on this season.
* Following his squad’s loss to Youngstown State on February 3, Brad Stevens received encouragement from many different people around the country. His favorite piece of encouragement came from his college coach at DePauw, Bill Fenlon.
* After missing their son’s games last weekend in New Orleans, Matt Howard‘s parents will be attending the Final Four in Houston. This was made possible by the people of their hometown, Connersville, Indiana, who graciously pitched in to help pay for the trip.
* Guard Shelvin Mack has a knack for making big plays in big games. This bodes well for the Bulldogs, as Saturday will be their biggest game of the year.
* Senior captain Zach Hahn took charge when things were not going well for the Bulldogs early in the conference season. Since then, Hahn’s leadership has led Butler both on and off the court.

It’s a Love/Hate Relationship: Volume XVII--Rush The Court

Five Things I Hated This Week
...
I HATED…..poor execution at the end of a great game. Billy Donovan is an outstanding coach, but the plays his Gators ran down the stretch against Butler were poor, poorer and puke. Whether it was at the end of regulation or overtime, UF mismanaged the clock and ended up with 26-footers. Part of that blame (and certainly not all of it) goes to the sideline. Donovan had a great chance to get back to another Final Four, and a better decision on one of those possessions might have been his golden ticket.

I HATED…..that the teams in the Final Four are arguably the four schools who I thought had the best reasons not to make it. VCU? No way does a school play its way into the field and win five straight in a tough region (especially when Jay Bilas hates their guts). Connecticut? One guy can’t do it all. Kentucky? Too inconsistent, too young, and my least favorite coach. Butler? No way does lightning strike twice, and besides, you don’t lose a lottery pick and upset a 1-seed in the second round. Alas, here I sit as part of the 70-something percent of America without a Final Four team left in my bracket.

When Talking About Size, It’s Money That Matters--Rush The Court
Around The Blogosphere: March 31, 2011--Rush The Court

Other News/Analysis
...
* With Two Mid-Majors in the Final Four, Is it Time to Wonder About the Zags?: “For the second consecutive year, Butler is set to play in the Final Four after winning the Horizon League conference tournament. Despite finishing fourth in the CAA, VCU has won five consecutive games to earn a spot in the Final Four after years of being a difficult matchup in the NCAA Tournament. Unfortunately, for the second straight year, Gonzaga saw its season come to an end with a blowout loss in the second/third round of the NCAA Tournament. With Mid-Majors breaking through to compete for the ultimate prize in college basketball, it’s interesting to ponder why Gonzaga not only has yet to make this break through, but also why it has been 12 years since the Zags even earned a spot in the Elite 8.” (The Slipper Still Fits)

NCAA Tournament Tidbits: 03.31.11--Rush The Court

Butler

* It seems like head coach Brad Stevens is getting as much attention for his glasses as he is for his coaching. Stevens is drawing comparisons to Clark Kent due to this look.
* “The Butler Way” consists of team-first basketball and an emphasis on defense. One columnist argues that it represents all that is right with sports.
* Cleveland State head coach Gary Waters believes that Horizon League foe Butler has a legitimate chance of winning the National Championship. Waters’ Vikings have dropped 11 of 13 meetings to the Bulldogs, including three this season.
* Point guard Shelvin Mack didn’t have the easiest childhood, but the assistance that he received from many people in his life has made reaching back-to-back Final Fours possible. It is tough not to root for a kid like Mack.
* Former Bulldog and current Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward acknowledged that he has never second-guessed his decision to leave Butler early and enter the NBA Draft. Hayward also made sure to note that he is pulling hard for the Bulldogs to cut down the nets on Monday evening.

Ranking the Final Four starters from most to least valuable--Rivals.com
Inside The Final Four Offenses--Luke Winn at the Tourney
DNA of a Cinderella--Yard Barker
Scouting the Final Four teams--ESPN
One Frozen Moment--Luke Winn at the Tourney
Minor minutes, but these players could play major roles--Sporting News
BCS vs. NCAA Tournament--College Hoops Journal
Lame NCAA Rules Will Prevent All of Matt Howard’s Brothers and Sisters From Watching Him Play at the Final Four--The Big Lead
Former Butler Star Gordon Hayward Talks With Mid-Major Madness--Mid-Major Madness
Utah Jazz injuries force team to rely on 'emergency list'--Deseret News

Considering Earl Watson, C.J. Miles and Gordon Hayward are the only healthy guards on the roster, it's likely Weaver will get playing time.

Utah Jazz: Kevin O'Connor gives 'State of the Jazz' address--Deseret News

Q: What is the core of this team going ahead, and do you consider Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors part of that?

KOC: We're going to have to put it all back together a little bit going into next season. Devin Harris, to me, is a very good point guard. And I think Raja would say this to you that he probably didn't have the kind of season he wanted to have. Defensively, I think he's done a good job, and hopefully he'll bounce back next year with that.

The only guy that's significant that plays that we don't have back next year is Andrei. We have a couple of draft picks, so I think it's a matter of evaluating in the offseason. It's their responsibility, too, as players to get better. Look, Al's 25, it's not like he's coming into the prime of his career hopefully. He needs to get better. We need to do a better job managing. I need to do a better job. Ty (Corbin) needs to do a better job.

The Miller family has given us everything we've asked for, so it's our responsibility and it's right on us. It starts with me and works all the way down to the coaches, to the players, to the people trying to keep them healthy — everybody. Everybody's involved with this and everybody's got to do it. We'll be judged accordingly. Our report card is public.

Utah Jazz gameday--Deseret News

PROBABLE STARTERS

Paul millsap: 17.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg pau gasol: 18.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg

c.j. miles: 13.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg ron artest: 8.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg

AL JEFFERSON: 19.1 ppg, 9.7 rpg andrew bynum: 11.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg

gordon hayward: 4.2 ppg, 1.0 apg kobe bryant: 25.2 ppg, 4.8 apg

earl watson: 4.0 ppg, 3.4 apg derek fisher: 6.6 ppg, 2.7 apg

Utah Jazz: Kyrylo Fesenko to start tonight against Lakers--Deseret News

With Watson being the only healthy point guard available, Weaver and C.J. Miles could see time at the playmaker position. Rookie Gordon Hayward is another backup point guard possibility.