Two Indianapolis teams, coming off national runner-up finishes, have followed that up with eerily similar – often frustrating – Â seasons:
The 2009 Indianapolis Colts made the Super Bowl before falling in a closely-contested game to the New Orleans Saints. With expectations fairly high for 2010, they meandered their way to a decent 5-2 September and October before injuries derailed any hopes of a stellar season.
After falling into an midseason funk where they dropped an “unprecedented” three in a row and four of five, Indy’s run of not only double digit win seasons, but also playoffs, was in deep jeopardy. Yet the Colts rallied, triumphing in four must-win games, including a do-or-die victory over division rival Jacksonville. Indianapolis made the playoffs, but had their season ultimately ended on a last second kick by the New York Jets.
Butler’s recent story resembles their city brethren.
Everyone remembers the Bulldogs’ remarkable, historic run to the national finals in 2010, whereupon they fell in the final seconds to Duke — coincidentally, inside the Colts’ home stadium.
However this year’s team, though overall disappointing at this juncture, has begun to follow the Colts’ late season path — after beginning in similar fashion:
Butler prodded through their usual arduous non-conference slate to a 9-4 record, before unexpected struggles began in January, culminating in a last second, February loss to bottom-dwelling Youngstown State.
Like the Colts, that was their third defeat in a row (first time in four seasons of the Brad Stevens era that had occurred), and fourth in five games. And also like Indy’s football team, all of Butler’s losses were very close (three of them in overtime).
And finally, to mirror the Colts even more so, Butler has rallied with five wins — including last night’s thriller at Green Bay –  when it’s mattered most, now sitting at 11-5 in conference with two games to play. (19-9 overall)
Their fate (i.e. seeding in the Horizon Conference tourney, and with it, chances at an automatic or at-large NCAA seed) will be determined in the next ten days. Five teams, including the Bulldogs, still have a chance for the top two seeds and the cherished double-bye.
In fact, two huge games take place in the Horizon tonight, involving the other four teams in the hunt for the conference regular season crown:
Cleveland State (22-5, 11-4) visits Wright State (17-11, 10-6), while Valparaiso (19-7, 11-3)Â travels to red-hot Milwaukee (15-11, 10-5).
Misc College Hoops:
–Also tonight, Wisconsin, fresh off their defeat of previously-unbeaten Ohio State, invades West Lafayette to take on the still-underappreciated Purdue Boilermakers; who, with a win tonight, and against those Buckeyes in a Sunday showdown, should move their way closer to a potential two seed in the tournament.
–Next Saturday afternoon, the 26th, is part two of the game-of-the-year, as The Jimmer and his BYU Cougars (24-2, #1 RPI) invade Cox Arena to take on San Diego State (25-1, #5 RPI). Thankfully, this game will be on CBS, so the nation will see two teams who both should be in consideration for a one seed. The Mountain West, in my view, is the nation’s fourth best conference, challenging the Big 12 for third best.
-Bracketbusters commence Friday evening, and continue throughout the weekend around the country.
About AJ Kaufman
