Butler vs. LSU

[waggy]

Didn't realize until tonight that this game starts the tourney. Probably of more interest to X fans, but still, what a way to start. Should be a great game. I think I picked Butler in my bracket.

[waggy]

Here is quote from the pregame press conference.

Q. How much do you worry about and how important do you think it is the seeding? Like Sunday morning, how much were you fretting over what seed you would be?

COACH STEVENS: I don't worry about it at all. Unless it means we're not in. I'd like to be in the tournament. I think it's something that we'll never take for granted. I've been one of the last few teams that didn't make it before early on in my coaching career, and just to have the opportunity to compete. You know, if you're looking for easy games. If you're looking to walk through a game in the NCAA Tournament, it just doesn't happen. So I don't care about seeding. Seeding is irrelevant from our point of view. The committee does a great job. They do it with all the information they can. Nobody puts more time, effort and energy into that. And just to have a chance to compete in this is special for us. You know, we recognize whoever you're playing, the challenge is going to be huge.

[waggy]

And a Q&A from Trent Johnson..

Q. In your years of coaching in the NCAA Tournament, is there one overriding thing that you've learned about the difference between it and the regular season that you have used? Anything that you say to your teams? Any tactics you use? Something that you've learned from playing in the tournament that helps you to be successful?

COACH JOHNSON: Well, yeah. To me it's always been pretty simple but yet so hard to do. You have to do the things you've done all year long to get to this point. Some way, somehow, guys have to enjoy it. But you still have to compete at a high level. And just stay and concentrate the best you can. And it's hard. It really is hard for kids. You know, you look at it, it's probably going to be one team that's going to walk away from it that's going to be happy. I don't care what anybody says. There's going to be one team that walks away that are going to be happy. But there are 65 teams that got themselves in a situation that they have a lot to be thankful for when it's all said and done.

[dc_x]

This might be the best game of the 1st round not involving Xavier. I think both of these teams should have been in the 5-6 seed range.

[Jumpy]

It definitely is a great way to start the tourney. For the record, with every variation of my bracket, I've always had to go with LSU. This guarantees a Butler victory.

[danaandvictory]

Two fine coaches and teams, can't think of a better matchup to get the tournament started.

[XUglow]

Less than 2 hours now. I can't wait.

[GoMuskies]

I like Butler in this one.

[XUglow]

I like Butler in this one.

I would take Butler in best 4 of 7, but I am 50/50 in a one-game shoot-out. I think the best news for the winner is that Lawson probably will not play on Saturday. NC is still good, but less good for sure.

I am looking forward to a heckuva game that goes to double OT.

[chico]

This game's just too close to pick, so I like the over. With that it will probably be in the 50's.

[X-Fan]

It will be interesting to see how this game turns out. With us winning @ LSU and Butler beating us @ home one would think that Butler would win. Granted both teams are playing at a different level than when we played them.

I have a feeling that LSU is going to win. I'm not sure why, but Butlers loss in the Horizon Championship (on their own court) really puzzled me.

I think it will be a good game in either case.

Let the Madness Begin!

[GoMuskies]

HUGE crowd on hand!

[xavierdude]

wow...what a start. LSU is hacking butler

[GuyFawkes38]

Good start by Butler.

LSU has many times more talent than Butler.

[GoMuskies]

I guess LSU is my new Final Four sleeper pick.

[xavierdude]

Howard is the biggest piece of crap in the NCAA. He's a terrible athlete. How did he have his way with us? OH ya, he had like 30 foul shots.

[X-Fan]

Ah, didn't look outside of the Men Forum...figured since we played both teams it was more appropriate there.

LSU with the hot start...lets see if it carries them or if they give it away. I think this will be a close game, but Butlers youth will be why they come up short.

[GoMuskies]

That tiny little guy LSU has guarding Howard will not be able to stop him.

I wish that pice of crap Howard had picked Xavier!

[Bmuskie]

Poor Butler, They have to deal with Tim Higgins on top of LSU.

[GoMuskies]

Two fouls on Howard? Might be the ballgame already.

[xavierdude]

Two fouls on Howard? Might be the ballgame already.

Yep...idk why i picked butler. Maybe cuz LSU was tanking lately. They look good now :mad:

[XUglow]

At 15-6 LSU, this sounds crazy, but I like the way Butler is playing D. I think it will pay off.

[xavierdude]

Ya...butlers D is doing really well, now

[GoMuskies]

I hate the way Butler is playing offense, though.

[xavierdude]

Finally, a goal. this game was getting boring

[GoMuskies]

UNC fans in attendance are probably feeling pretty good about their travel plans to Memphis next week.

[GoMuskies]

I think Butler has to come back with Howard now. They're going to be down 11 with 4 minutes to go, and they can't let this get away from them before halftime. Having Howard in the second half is worthless if you're down 17 or 18 points at the break.

[drudy23]

Butler will be fine...they'll continue to grind and be in it at the end.

[GoMuskies]

HUGE shot at the end to get it to six. Sets up for a tight second half.

[Bmuskie]

As happens so many times in NCAA tournament games, with 3 minutes to go the referees completely changed the way they called the game. LSU adjusted very well, Butler made no adjustments. LSU outmuscled Butler in the end and they move on. Congrats to the Tigers.

[xavierdude]

well i'm 2-1 so far. danget butler

[Muskie]

Butler falls 74-71

[bobbiemcgee]

Still in for the million, but then I picked X on an emotional play to go deep.