Butler-UTEP to Play in 5pm ET Special…

March 18, 2010 By 3 Comments

…that no one outside of central Indiana or west Texas will see, despite the fact that Butler currently has a 20-game winning streak:

Every time Brad Stevens walks into Hinkle Fieldhouse, he peers into the rafters.

There he sees the overflowing banners listing conference titles and NCAA tournament appearances and quickly realizes what Butler has become: A national model for mid-major schools.

But even with all the attention and success, the third-year coach understands this NCAA tourney will be different for the blue-collar Bulldogs. His team is no longer a surprise, seeded fifth in the West Region, and takes the nation’s longest winning streak, 20 games, into Thursday’s first-round contest against UTEP.

And yet, so many analysts — especially the Greg Anthonys and Steven A Smiths — pick UTEP…who’s a very good team, and as usual, the Committee gives Butler a horrible first round matchup, but I’ll take the Dogs.

Exit question(s):

  • Will Duke beat a team higher than a 5 seed for the first time in several years….will they get past the sweet 16 for the first time in six years?
  • Has there ever been a more undeserving one seed (that gets the easiest draw)?

Gotta love having your best two wins be Gonzaga and Maryland and getting a one seed. Apparently, the Committee really wants to see Duke get here to Indy. I don’t.

Duke would have 8-10 losses if they played in the Big 12, Big East or Big 10.

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Filed Under: CBB, March Madness Tagged With: butler, duke, March Madness
About AJ Kaufman

AJ Kaufman is the co-editor of Midwest Sports Fans, where he has been a columnist since March 2009. AJ, a former Los Angeles schoolteacher and Indiana military historian, is now a corporate journalist, compiling publications for organizations across the country. He is a supporter of anything baseball-related -- especially minor league ball -- and mid-major college hoops. The author of three books, AJ is married to Maria and currently lives in Lincoln, Neb.

Follow him on Twitter (@ajkauf7) for ruminations on sports, politics, history and travel.

  • AJ Kaufman

    Dogs are great second half team…showing it now

  • http://intensedebate.com/people/JerodMSF JerodMSF

    GREAT game by the Bulldogs. Very impressive.

  • AJ Kaufman

    Yup.

    I listened to the national broadcast of this game on drive home yesetrday. Announcers called Willie Veasley, "Willie Stevens," Zach Hahn was "Zack Zorn" and much else. Neither telecaster had seen Butler play this season on TV or in person. Brutal. Sports coverage should be localized. ESPn the best example. I am all for MLB Network, NBATV etc. Brutal.