VCU vs Butler

[MADXSTER]

Who will win??

[muskiefan82]

If VCU can continue their hot shooting, they will win. They haven't let up yet, so why would they start now?

[PMI]

Matt Howard will hit a 90 foot three and 1 to seal a one point victory just before the buzzer sounds. The replay will show him elbow a VCU guard and sell the And 1.

[XUFan09]

Funny thing about the coaching match-up that ESPN mentioned. If you add Brad Stevens and Shaka Smart's ages together, it's still less than Jim Calhoun's age.

[MADXSTER]

In order to get to the Final Four,

VCU played and beat on a nuetral court,

USC
Georgetown
Purdue
Florida State
Kansas


Butler played and beat on a nuetral court,

Old Dominion
Pittsburgh
Wisconsin
Florida

[MADXSTER]

Brad Stevens - Alma Mater DePauw

Career Record - 116 - 24
4 years coaching - 4 years in the NCAA tourney
2 Final Fours


Shaka Smart
Career Record - 55 - 20
2 years coaching - 1 year in the NCAA tourney
1 Final Four

[xu15]

I hate Butler. They're lucky ass holes. Go VCU!

[JAPER]

Can Butler sweep the CAA? I don't think it can be done. I'm going with VCU in this one.

[Benxman]

Butler in a close game. Brad Stevens is my favorite non Xavier coach. In fact, he just might be my favorite including Chris Mack. Sorry Chris, when you have accomplished what Brad has, I'll change my mind. I definitely wish Chis more success than Brad, but you have to admire a guy who gets to the final game and then next year, without his best player from the year before, gets back to the final four --- This with a truly mid major school. Brad Stevens is the coolest coach out there. He is unflapable (Sp?) The guy looks more like an accountant or a computer geek than a college basketball coach. He totally understands what team basketball is and is able to recruit to that philosophy and get his team to buy into that philosophy. I truly admire the guy.
Go Brad Stephens! Go Butler (for now)!


GO MUSKIES! (Forever!)

:sword:

[Snipe]

I can't call this game. Both teams just seem to rise to the occasion and play so well. I have long been a Butler fan but VCU is really playing some tits basketball and taking people out. What a game to get to the national title.

Go BullDogs!

[madness31]

Butler typically wins because they out work their opponent. VCU however also gets after it. VCU is quicker and deeper. Butler has a tendency to find a way but this is going to be a tough match-up for them. VCU is due for a bad shooting night but that might not be enough for Butler to get the win. Butler will have to shoot well and find a way to rebound despite the speed and length disadvantage.

I've made some nice coin off VCU so I have to stick with them. They seem to be on a mission and fate may also be playing a role as they have a shot at knocking off each of the Big 6 with a game against KY in the championship.

The other concern for Butler is they haven't played an up tempo quick team like VCU in the tourney. The VCU bigs also love to shoot the 3 but can put it on the floor and take their man to the rim.

[waggy]

Good game so far. So hard to force Butler to play fast. Seems like they always eventually get the game at the pace they like.

[GoMuskies]

Excellent first half. I expect Butler to pull away in the second half. They seemed to have solved VCU late in the first half.

Of course, I've been wrong about VCU all through the Tournament!

[xsteve1]

Butler will win a real close one here. Their experience will be the difference. Stevens is John Wooden.

[X-band '01]

Excellent first half. I expect Butler to pull away in the second half. They seemed to have solved VCU late in the first half.

Of course, I've been wrong about VCU all through the Tournament!

And sure enough, VCU is coming out strong.

It's good to have this game on the computer with the Reds game on TV.

[xsteve1]

Butler is so damn well coached.

[waggy]

I know Nored is a good soldier, but I wouldn't want him my team ever.

[xsteve1]

I know Nored is a good soldier, but I wouldn't want him my team ever.

Really? Besides that foul there the guy is probably one of the top 5 defenders in the country.

[waggy]

Really? Besides that foul there the guy is probably one of the top 5 defenders in the country.

How do you quantify this? Eye-test?

No thanks.

[xsteve1]

How do you quantify this? Eye-test?

No thanks.


It's been pretty well known for a few years the guy is a fantastic defender.

[xsteve1]

Butler to play for the title again. I think they win it this year.

[X-Fan]

Butler to play for the title again. I think they win it this year.

I'm sorry, my brain cannot process that. That's just crazy.

[kyxu]

Butler is awesome. I would kill for Xavier to do what they have been able to do the past two years. Seriously. Kill.

[X-Fan]

Butler is awesome. I would kill for Xavier to do what they have been able to do the past two years. Seriously. Kill.

Here's the thing though. A LOT of, if not almost all, programs would KILL to have their school/program get to two straight Final Fours much less Natl. Championship games. While we compare ourselves to Butler in terms of size and basketball success, we are NOT the only school/program envious of what they've done the past two years.

What they've done is incredible and should be commended. Let's not get hung up on the fact that it's Butler, it's impressive no matter who does it.

[GoMuskies]

Louisville hasn't been to a championship game in 25 years. KENTUCKY hasn't been in a championship game in 13 years (might change in two hours). So I agree with X-Fan. A lot of fans/programs are jealous of the Butler success right now.

[xsteve1]

I almost think Butler is a lock to win this tournament. They are just playing so well as a team and have a chip on their shoulder. If UConn beats UK Butler will drill them.

[whiteyxu]

I almost think Butler is a lock to win this tournament. They are just playing so well as a team and have a chip on their shoulder. If UConn beats UK Butler will drill them.

You may have just jinxed Butler there. Quite frankly, I don't know if you can say any games in this tournament have been locks.