Final Four Predictions

[CMJ]

Butler vs Michigan State

Izzo is a postseason God. The way he was able to get this team, whose best player went out in the 2nd round, to the Final Four is nothing short of amazing. They've been clutch in the tourney with four wins by a total of 13 points.

However, Butler's defense is the toughest I've seen in quite awhile. They hound the ball outside and in the paint. Plus they're probably gonna have 40K(at least) of the 70K in the stadium willing them to a victory.

My pick:Butler

Duke vs West Virginia

Huggins is back in the Final Four for the first time in nearly 20 years. He has a team that isn't particularly the best shooting, but they usually win on defense and rebounding(despite beatiung Kentucky BY shooting and getting killed on the glass). Butler is probably the most clutch player left.

Talk about postseason Gods, this is Coach K's 11th Final Four(to go along with 3 titles). I could fill paragraphs with his accomplishments. That said, this might be one of his best ever coaching jobs. This is not a supremely talented team, but they actually kind of win the same way WVU does. Despite the stereotype of Duke being a team of jump shooters, this one actually became elite because of Zoubek's emergence in the paint the last 2 months. I like Duke in a grinder.

My Pick: Duke

I could see both of these games easily go the other way.

[Green P1]

Give me Huggy over The Devil.

[CMJ]

Butler trying to hold on with under 8 left

[CMJ]

Butler still up with under four minutes to go. They're trying to suffocate the clock right now, since they aren't scoring. Great defense by the Bulldogs(and Spartans for that matter)

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Butler trying to hold on with under 8 left

They need to avoid going on a no field goal streak at the end of the game though. No field goals since the 12 minute mark?

[CMJ]

Still leading....under 3 minutes....

[CMJ]

Spartans with the all down one with 22 seconds left

[CMJ]

Butler plays for it all Monday night

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Butler plays for it all Monday night

Would like to see W VA win now. Wonder how many people had Butler in the final game?

[Green P1]

Watching Huggy Bear "bear-hug" De'Sean Butler on the court is half touching half bizarre.

Also enjoyed his exchange with the ref right before leaning down, "Boy those guys are great. I guess they never foul. they just never f*@^%# foul do hey?"

Can't wait to see what the refs come up with on Monday night. Little Butler won't know what hit'em.

Edited April 4, 2010 by Green P1

[CMJ]

At that point in the game, WVU had committed less fouls than Duke and shot more free throws. Moronic statement by Huggins.

Touching moment with Butler tho

[Green P1]

At that point in the game, WVU had committed less fouls than Duke and shot more free throws. Moronic statement by Huggins.

Touching moment with Butler tho

Meh.. I'm on board with any hatred spewed towards the Devils.

Edited April 4, 2010 by Green P1

[CMJ]

Just saying, his team even now has shot about ten more free throws. That might change if WVU decides to foul to try and lengthen the game, but the Devils are ahead by so much now they might call off the dogs. Whatever the case, Huggins had no case to say that Duke was getting all the calls.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Just saying, his team even now has shot about ten more free throws. That might change if WVU decides to foul to try and lengthen the game, but the Devils are ahead by so much now they might call off the dogs. Whatever the case, Huggins had no case to say that Duke was getting all the calls.

Maybe he was still upset at the sham that Baylor got.

[TheTastyGreek]

Duke vs. Butler.

A night of white-on-white violence.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Meh.. I'm on board with any hatred spewed towards the Devils.

Right there with you. Butler better hit their shots more Monday night though, they will be playing 8.

[CMJ]

People always want to lame the refs when the team they are rooting for loses(or especially when the team they hate wins). Duke didn't beat Baylor because of the refs....they were the better team.

[Green P1]

People always want to lame the refs when the team they are rooting for loses(or especially when the team they hate wins). Duke didn't beat Baylor because of the refs....they were the better team.

I agree in most cases... but not with Duke. They get away with murder.

[TheTastyGreek]

I agree in most cases... but not with Duke. They get away with murder.

I'm not going to say it, but I bet 75% of you are already thinking it.

[CMJ]

I agree in most cases... but not with Duke. They get away with murder.

In that Baylor game, all I saw was Zoubek getting mauled on the low block. The Bears were killing him, with no calls.

People see Duke getting "all the calls" because they hate Duke.

I think Butler will give the Devils a helluva game. The Bulldogs will need to score more than 52 tho. Butler has maybe the best defense I've seen in the last 10 seasons with their quick hands --- but I don't think they're keeping the Devils under 60.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

In that Baylor game, all I saw was Zoubek getting mauled on the low block. The Bears were killing him, with no calls.

People see Duke getting "all the calls" because they hate Duke.

I think Butler will give the Devils a helluva game. The Bulldogs will need to score more than 52 tho. Butler has maybe the best defense I've seen in the last 10 seasons with their quick hands --- but I don't think they're keeping the Devils under 60.

I like the fact that no one will be giving Butler a chance. That was pretty much their last three games and they seem to do very well in the underdog role.

The refs didn't lose the game for Baylor, but they sure helped them in the final 5 minutes.

[UNT90]

I like the fact that no one will be giving Butler a chance. That was pretty much their last three games and they seem to do very well in the underdog role.

The refs didn't lose the game for Baylor, but they sure helped them in the final 5 minutes.

I think Butler was favored against Mich St.

Mich. St. and Duke average about the same amount of points a game (around 71). If Butler can get Duke to play at Butler's pace, they could very easily be your new national champs.

[CMJ]

My early lean is Duke, mostly based on their efficiency of grabbing the offensive boards and fanning them out for treys. This will be even more noticeable because Zoubek will tower over Butler's frontline.

But Butler is not to be underestimated. The Bulldogs totally can win this game. If they get the Devils' frontline in foul trouble to negate that advantage -- they will win.