Defending National Runner-Ups

[HuskyMuskie]

Butler Bulldogs lose to the mighty Evansville Purple Aces in overtime, at Hinkle Fieldhouse today, 71-68.

Not only did the Bulldogs take the Aces to overtime, but lacked the ability to close off the cellar-dweller of the Missouri Valley Conference the entire game. On top of everything else, there was another clock mishap in overtime, as after a missed free throw, Evansville retreated on defense, and Butler did not rebound the ball.

The clock sat at 6.7 seconds for a second or so, then began to run until 4.7 seconds, and when no Butler player grabbed the ball to rebound it, Butler was granted a time-out, without having posession of the basketball, and 5.7 seconds were placed on the clock.

Shady? Or just another "clock mistake" at Hinkle?

[CinciX12]

Just so we are on the same page here, you do realize that there is no such thing as the 'defending national runner up' correct? How would one defend that 'title'? Go the national championship game and purposely lose?

[Masterofreality]

They should just go back to the circular second and minute hand clock along with a vuvuzuela for a buzzer at the old barn.

[RoseyMuskie]

MOR

I was thinking that a Sundial would be more appropriate.

[Titanxman04]

MOR

I was thinking that a Sundial would be more appropriate.

It would be, except the sun doesn't shine in Indiana...just like how it doesn't in Dayton.

[X Communicator]

Clock troubles at Butler? Shocking. The school runs on Bulldog time, so when they let the dog outside, game over.

The problem isn't just Indianapolis's. The entire state has time issues. I swear, every other street has its own time zone. They've got central time, daylight time, non-daylight time. Then there's lunchtime, harvest time, and milking time, plus dinnertime, bedtime and cowtipping time. There's also night time. You know when it's night time because there's nothing to do then.

The Pontiff has probably forgetten some time zones. What the hell, tempus fugit. They need some kind of a time czar to straight it out over there.

[Xman95]

Hate to be negative here, but we're at home and getting it handed to us right now by Wofford! I'm not sure that's a lot better than losing to Evansville in OT. Hell, we might be hoping to force OT.

[An X Fan]

6,622 at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Now that's support.

[Xman95]

6,622 at historic Hinkle Fieldhouse. Now that's support.

Isn't that over capacity in that dump?!?

[Xman95]

Hell, we might be hoping to force OT.

I was really hoping I wasn't correct on that and that we would regained the lead and closed them out. Oh well. Five more minutes for X. Gotta get going so we don't go the way of Butler...

[West is Best]

Matt Howard may be the most frustrating player in all of college basketball... 13 rebounds, but 4 fouls, in 27 minutes. Without Hayward they can't win without him on the court more.

[Xman95]

Matt Howard may be the most frustrating player in all of college basketball... 13 rebounds, but 4 fouls, in 27 minutes. Without Hayward they can't win without him on the court more.

He probably committed 20+ in the game, but he was only whistled 4 times. That kid gets away with a lot. Sometimes I wonder if he went to the Coach K school of fouling without getting called. They also teach flopping there, something Howard also does well.

[RoseyMuskie]

Wofford was an NCAA Tourney team last year, Evansville finished in last place in the MVC, big difference XMan95

[Xavier]

This is actually bad for Xavier. Butler is suppose to a chance at a very good win- Xavier doesnt have many of those this year (especially because the A-10 is absolutely horrible this year, 2-3 tournament teams tops). Gonzaga, Butler, Florida are huuge games-we want/need those teams to win to help our RPI. Count me in as someone who wants all the teams on our schedule to do well (--minus UC of course)

[An X Fan]

Isn't that over capacity in that dump?!?

No, capacity is 10,000.

Of course, UC would kill for 60% capacity crowds.

[madness31]

A-10 is not horrible this year. The conference is disappointing but Richmond just beat Purdue by double digits. Temple has some solid wins and the celler dwellers have actually won a few games. Charlotte has been a huge disappointment and the troubles at SLU have impacted their results but terrible is a stretch.

Butler doesn't have enough to get it done this year. They lost their best player and another significant contributer. Cleveland St owns that conference this year. That will be a good loss for the Bonnies.

[jonz04]

This is actually bad for Xavier. Butler is suppose to a chance at a very good win- Xavier doesnt have many of those this year (especially because the A-10 is absolutely horrible this year, 2-3 tournament teams tops). Gonzaga, Butler, Florida are huuge games-we want/need those teams to win to help our RPI. Count me in as someone who wants all the teams on our schedule to do well (--minus UC of course)

Yes, I agree we need to see our opponents do well for the numbers game. But, being from Indianapolis and hearing about them all the time is too much. I found myself rooting against them because I would really like to see them out of the tournament this year :D. But, everyone else needs to do well! (cough wake cough temple cough)

[Cheesehead]

He probably committed 20+ in the game, but he was only whistled 4 times. That kid gets away with a lot. Sometimes I wonder if he went to the Coach K school of fouling without getting called. They also teach flopping there, something Howard also does well.

I have been saying for 3 years, that Howard is a dirty player. Elbows like crazy, flops like a little girl; and grabs people and pulls them down too; just like the last play of the game last year when he took Love to the ground near the free throw line but no call.

I can't stand Howard.

[Masterofreality]

I have been saying for 3 years, that Howard is a dirty player. Elbows like crazy, flops like a little girl; and grabs people and pulls them down too; just like the last play of the game last year when he took Love to the ground near the free throw line but no call.

I can't stand Howard.

Howard is bad, but Hayward was the cheapest a$$ player out there last year and got away with an unbelieveable amount of crap because he was incredibly sneaky and had a baby face. I'm glad that guy is gone. The NBA will take care of his smug garbage.