The National Championship - A Dog Fight

At the Oaken Barrel again tonight for the championship tilt between my beloved Butler Bulldogs and the UCONN Huskies. Still somewhat hard to believe the Bulldogs are making back-to-back national championship appearances. No matter what happens tonight - my Dawgs have made me proud during this run. But it would be especially nice to see them cutting the nets down at Reliant Stadium tonight. This looked so improbable back in January when this team struggled, but they pulled together and got the lucky bounces and heads up plays to get here tonight the most important night of college basketball - Monday night!

We are very festive crowd here tonight - most of us still wearing what we had on Saturday and of course I had the breaded tenderloin with french fries as I have had before every game. Not that I believe in being superstitious, but I am into keeping a routine.

 Jim Calhoun says outwork, outwill and outplay to beat Butler

Sounds like a Survivor promo to me

LeeAnn Rimes with the national anthem and yes she remembered the words

Blue II has taken the floor and Jim Nantz gets ready to announce tonight's starting lineups

you know Andrew Smith wears the greatest number in the world - why? Because that's the number I wore and so did JP Brens (who thanks to my cousin Kendra is related to me through marriage)

Clark says Butler's frontcourt and bench; Steve says backcourt; Steve also says Butler with better X factors

Whew! This one is going to be nerve wracking

the world's greatest SID - Jim McGrath

UCONN wins the tip and here we go; tipped pass and Orlander gets the ball and bucket

stigall with the up and under no good; Mack misses the bunnie; Stigall the sniper for 3

Ariakhi goes over and scores he doesn't have a double figure game yet in the tournament

Stigall misses that one hat now on backward

Mack another bunnie miss; Orlander with the rebound foul on Mack and it looked like they didn't want the ball;

Stigall misses again; rebound and now another rebounding foul on UCONN! Dawgs have missed last four and is 1-of-8Howard misses the 3 he hasn't hit one this weekend

Smith says "Get that shot out of here"

under 16:00 media timeout and it's 4-3 we call that segment - tie

Walker and Mack a combined 0-for-7; Dawgs need to get going from 3 only 1 of 5

Smith got the rebound but dribbled on the line - man just get a stop here; no one can hit bunnies tonight

the Warrior for 3! Finally!

Oriacki scores again; what are we doing shooting all 3s thus far?

gave up a layup there; Marshall Plan is in the game; too many bad shots; Hahn getting ready to come into the game for the Dawgs; Marshall plan with the rebound and the break and the Warrior gets fouled and going to the line; got the first; and the second and tied again;

2 for 13 isn't going to win it no matter the defense! and Kemba just scored; warrior misses another 3 Kemba out on the run and the bucket and the foul! UGH! He has four points an four rebounds; and now the lead is 5

Nored takes it baseline and get fouled going to the line; missed the first; made the second and the lead cut to four and now a huge stop

the under 12:00 media timeout comes on the first turnover of the game for either team and the Huskies win that segment and lead by 4; need to get a stop coming out of the break here;

Hahn called for the hold the second on the Dawgs in the half; Howard chasing Walker, huh? Walker misses Vanzant with the board and the missed three and the foul on Smith; 2-for-15 from the field; Ok good call on the rebound; Oriahki picks up his second foul - that's good news; Andrew Smith with the turnaround hook

Nored called the foul as the Huskies looked to go backdoor on that one; wow the helter skelter play there and the ball gets loosed and the Dawgs tie it up for the tied ball possession Dawgs - now let's get a bucket here

Butler going to the line the rest of the half, and it's Mack; maybe this is what we need to get him started - he has yet to score; got the first; Mack is 0-for-4 from the field; missed the second; stigall with the steal now let's get the lead; nice take by Marshall and Smith gets fouled on the rebound; Smith at the line - makes the first; tied again Nored coming into the game; Foul trouble becoming a story for the game and Smith misses the second; typical for the big guy though; the big fella for UCONN;

Stigall again the Sniper from New Castle!

Stigall is jokingly being named Steve Alford's love child;

tied ball? Marshall had and clearly called timeout!

Under 8:00 media timeout we'll call it even!

Kemba on the out of bounds play - swish - UGH!

went to the well one too many times with Stigall

man they are getting the trash buckets as a high school coach I know would say

Howard with the strong move but didn't have a good angle on the backboard

man that size is killing us right now even with our boxing out; unlike Florida I see UCONN staying going inside;

Vanzant steal; Mack where you been? Nice to see you showed up!

Hustle foul on Vanzant and the under 4:00 media timeout and we are still even in the segment department - what a game!

Like a good neighbor State Farm is there with a Butler National Championship!

Special K again talking about fundamentals - love it because that's how Butler wins this one;

only three assist total for the game; Howard and his move over the big fella it just isn't there; UCONN has gotten every lucky bounce of that ball so far; both teams combined 14 of 50 from the field; Walker called for the charge and that's TWO! Time to take charage; reverse layup try by Smith just take it to the basket strong big fella!

like trying to go inside to Mack

When you lower that shoulder that's a charge everytime!

looked close to goaltending there; Mack for 3 at the horn - GOOD!

You know in 1981 Randy Wittman hit a shot at the horn to end the half; 1987 Steve Alford did too and now Shelvin Mack...the heck that it is the Hoosiers - it's Indiana Basketball baby!

A combined 26 percent from the field - yeah that will bring CBS ratings!

the vezuelas have made an appearance at the Oaken Barrel - oh the madness!

I am seeing yawns! Really? OK, it wasn't that thrilling of a half, so we'll let it slide

Charles says 10% of basketball fans are idiots...well it takes one to know one now doesn't it Charles;

Butler also gets the ball to begin the half; let's see what they come out with to begin the half in what could be the most important half in Butler Basketball history; Stigall misses follows his shotl they work it around and 3 again!

Dawgs up six but a foul on the shot; Lamb got them both and the lead is four; Stigall missed that three and Smith got called for a reach in after UCONN had secured the rebound - UGH

Walker over Vanzant and hits it; Mack misses the three; man Lamb is getting hot said they role players can't get theirs if Butler wants to win; UCONN now with the lead; Mack misses the 3 looked to get the ball into his wheelhouse on that one. 7-0 run by UCONN now; Smith has to get stronger over the summer

bad pass on the out of bounds play and a turnover; and now they are saying no one touched it; Walker at the line and made the first; Howard picks up his second; missed the second; Stigall drives; misses Nored with the board to the rack and the foul;

After a good start for the Dawgs, Huskies come back to take the lead but we still remain tied in segments won at the under 16:00 media timeout; Dawgs have got to find a way to keep attacking the basket and get UCONN enough foul trouble to open it up

It's Nor-ed not No-rad! Nantz come on now;

getta stop here fellas; 16-0 in the paint! UGH! Double UGH!

Nored another foul with the hold; ball out of bounds; still working on getting a stop here; Marshall plan; got the loose ball; bad pass; at this rate a 5-point lead is 100. First time the Dawgs have allowed them to get out on the break tonight and score;

1 for 20 from 2; Nored going into the lane dishes to Marshall and a foul; WOW! 1 for 20! from 2! and Warrior can't hit either; freshmen miss; Stigall back into the game; We need a basket in the worst way here; we can't go under 12:00 down by 10; Vanzant hits the two; stop here

Man UCONN's length is impressive; Marshall with the foul and that segment definitely to the Huskies. Lamb has outscored Butler by himself in this half; and the lead is seven; now just weather the storm; Roscoe picks up his third foul; nice ball movement - needed that 3;

alley-oop; Lamb is geting his and we said that was deadly

A layup! A LAYUP! FAKE AND DUNK THE BALL!

Walker throws up that junk to go in and we can't buy a layup! Another miss this time by the Warrior!

22-0 in the paint; Napier reaching it in; Vanzant misses now from 3 and the Dawgs are cold as the Diet Coke I am drinking and the ice cream I will be eating win or lose after the game

2 for 21 for the half!; UCONN outrebounding 43-32; will Smith ever gain control and just DUNK THE DAMN BALL!

never thought I would see a night where the Dawgs would be this anemic offensively. I am reminded once of what former athletic director John Parry said on a radio broadcast once about cellophane on the basket and Butler has to break it.

Mack and Howard have not scored this half; Hopkins is in so let's see if the Energizer Bunny can do this

Vanzant for 3! Maybe little too late; why drive - set up the offense! we can't go inside against their bigs

foul, the Warrior got hurt on that play; man the under 4:00 and the Huskies have this one unless the Dawgs can get it going in the final few minutes here; still time...still gotta believe

18 percent from the field! 18 percent from the field!

step back 3 for Mack now let's get this; now to extend the game; the warrior with blood; mack another 3 it ain't over yet; now fouling to get the bench players in

UCONN looking to be 3-0 in championship games;

And UCONN wins - 53-41; the Dawgs just could not get a shot to fall tonight. It got frustrating; it got mental and UCONN took away the things we needed to do well to win

Final Four - Dawgs vs. Rams

Already a capacity crowd at Oaken Barrel and we are just now under an hour before tip of tonight's Final Four matchup between Butler and Virginia Commonwealth. What a game this one is going to be for both teams involved. It depends on Butler stopping the 3 and VCU dictating pace of play. I am really fearful of the Rams quickness and I think it will be hard for Butler to handle from the beginning. With that being said though, I do believe Butler can't take the tight game situations it has had during the tournament and use it to their advantage.

Dick Vitale has picked against us and so has Digger. Seth Davis finally believes. CNNSI picked us and CBSsports.com went 6-2 in our favor.

Currently watching the Final Four show on CBS - sad story about Billy Donovan and some of his assistants and the loss of their children. Kings of Leon just performed Immortals and that's what the team will be whoever wins on Monday night.

The John Wooden piece right now - very nice tribute

Hello friends - love Jim Nantz!

We are Butler...love seeing Blue II at the end of the tunnel

Man if Butler and Kentucky both win tonight the first story line - Mack vs. the team which forgot about him in recruiting.

It has been a long week and now ready for tip between the Dawgs and Rams! One extra to get into the field of 64 for VCU, does the law of averages catch up with them in this one against the Dawgs? Guard the perimeter and make Joey have to make a last second decision at the basket.

Rams control the tip so here we go

Mack for 3! That's a great sign and a good strart; Hedging on the screen they missed the 3

Stigall missed a 3

he missed that 3 but we have to rotate over quicker on defense

why start the freshmen for VCU?

again win the 4:00 segments - most to win wins the game

they hit the 3 and that's where they usually get going from here

gotta hit the bunnies

back to back 3s and here we go miscommunication against the press

told you they would get going and they have three straight 3s

we aren't getting over and what did I say was going to be key

now the hat is on backward; and now the press; marshall with the rebound bucket; Vanzant for the 3 and missed - VCU got the rebound;

after a good start for the Dawgs, VCU got hot and now won that segment. Skeen got hurt on the rebound basket and foul and will shoot two after the under 16:00 media timeout.

Hahn is in for Butler as Skeen goes to the line - missed the first; made second and here comes the press

that was not a good possession; need to recognize what they are defensively quicker; Mack with the hold on the out of bounds play with the borderline tackle; Warrior misses a 3

the theus for VCU not related to Reggie

Hahn missed the 3, Howard gets the rebound and they are calling it on the floor; Vanzant in for Mack; man VCU is not cooling off Howard going to the line; must have to go down low to the Warrior

 - got the first; and the second - now let's get a stop here;

there's our stop now let's make them pay here against the press; the Warrior going to the line again; makes the first and the second - need another stop!

came out with the under 12:00 media timeout coming

another stop here we go Dawgs! Smith off the rebound basket from Marshall! Need another stop another one now for the tie

turnover on the bad pass

Khyle Marshall! and the foul! Marshall to the line at the under 12:00 and we are tied - here we go!

did you know that at the Final Four is when the new commercials come out sort of like during the Super Bowl?

8-0 run in 2:27 and Marshall the catalyst!

and he missed it; missed layup now for the lead; Smith getting held on the block and no call!

Skeen powers over for two and VCU back up; Marshall misses need a break possibly; We are winning the hustling battle

Under 8:00 media timeout call it a tie on that one despite VCU leading by 2; Vanzant gets that if he hadn't moved his shoulder at the very last moment.

missed the first - remember the ball NEVER lies; got the second and here comes the press; got blocked and it was tip by Smith at the end and VCU got a layup and up 5

finally a holding call against VCU! Just the first of at least 3 that should have been called; Mack for 3 on the out of bounds

hooked him going on the drive - great call! That's the seventh and now 1-1 for the rest of the half; Vanzant with the leaner and tied again; now let's get a stop here; Vanzant didn't like the call  and was warned by the official; turnover and why did Vanzant not; then Veal comes through like a bull in a China shop and picks up the foul; Nored at the line, but I am pretty sure Smith was the one fouled; and they got it corrected.

Andrew got the first; and the second for the tie YES! tied again; now let's get a stop here; nice move by Skeen on the baseline; that's what you gotta do make Joey make a late decision; Howard with the foul his first and fifth on the team;

mack for 3 after the stop and Dawgs lead!

Skeen with the pushoff of Howard and we win that segment and that's two on him.

Hey did you know The Masters is on CBS next weekend?

Timeout Dawgs because they got the ball in the coffin corner!

Ok I was getting interviewed by the Daily Journal - Dawgs went on a run to close the half and lead by six at half 34-28.

The old adage what happens in before the under 16:00 will decide it!

second half begins missed 3 we gotta rebound and they got a two; Andrew Smith with the moving screen - unreal his first foul of the game;

know your cuts of meat in the final four - veal butcher and two lambs

gotta hit those Chase!

Smith slapped and picked up his second; Burgess made the first and Marshall Plan back in the game for Smith; gotta get the rebounds boys

gotta get over on D; can't here comes their quickness again we have to have patience!

5-0 run by VCU gotta get a stop here; Warrior misses a 3; we have to grab the ball on the rebound

7-0 run and they have the lead - come on Dawgs!

Marshall with the rebounding foul! Hahn coming in to give a Mack a breather and now we have to get a stop here big time possession here

Marshall with the hustle and the timeout! come on boys get it under control

the WiFi is horrible tonight

VCU not being smart on rebounds and picking up a lot of fouls; nice backdoor for the lead again

Hahn next man up; Mack taking it to the rack and fouled - I see whoever has fresher legs in the end wins it

under 12:00 tie that segment as well

Mack at the line when we comeback; We are winning the hustle battle, but we have to do a better job on defense against the 3 and when Joey drives

Mack misses the first; and now the second - gotta squeeze the orange - listen to Clark

Mack for 3 now's our time

Howard with another hustle foul - that's his third

DUNK THE DAMN BALL!

Mack with the three- turnover and Mack with the drive and bucket! Butler up 7; now is the time boys put it away here!

Howard just picked up his fourth - now cause for great concern!

OK Vanzant got the shot and we have to get the stops

VCU just keeps making stupid decisions on the break

Final Four Eve

Who in their right mind would have thought Butler would be the one of last season's Final Four teams making a return trip? To be honest not this guy. Not how they began the season; not how the Bulldogs played in January. Brad Stevens righted the ship for the stretch run in February and they got some lucky breaks and somehow finished in a tie for the Horizon League regular season championship.

Even facing odds of taking on Milwaukee in the final, the Dawgs did something they hadn't done all season - beat Milwaukee. Guess Butler just wanted to make things interesting in getting a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Ah yes, the tournament. The Bulldogs opened it with Old Dominion, a team everyone predicted would end Butler's season in the first round on a Thursday afternoon. Instead the Dawgs and Monarchs battled for the entire 40 minutes. With ODU having momentum and the game tied, Shawn Vanzant drove the lane, drew the defense threw the ball up and Andrew Smith tipped it in the air to a driving Matt Howard, who banked in the retrieve to give the Dawgs a two-point win.

Survive and advance I

Then the Pitt game. The Dawgs led throughout and led for the majority of the game. Pitt would take the lead late and the Bulldogs again would make a late-game surge. Down one Vanzant again drove the lane and drew the defenders. Found Smith this time, who laid it in for the game winner. But wait! Shelvin Mack and a momentary lapse of basketball intellect and fouled with about 2.1 left. A sudden victory grasped out by the hands of defeat. Pitt made the first to tie the game; then somehow missed the second - video later shows the player momentarily pausing just before his release. Howard got the ball and for some reason was fouled. The Warrior calmly made the first and missed the second. The Dawgs had advance to the Sweet 16.

Of all the games the Dawgs played almost flawlessly against Wisconsin in the regional semifinal. The Badgers made one run late in the second half after the Dawgs didn't seem prepared for the press, but in the end some crucial shots and free throws made ensure the Dawgs a shot in the regional final game against Florida.

I don't need to say anything when it comes to the NCAA Tourament and Florida vs. Butler. The Gators have found ways to win against the Dawgs in two previous attempts. In this one it seemed like the Gators were going to run away with it. Billy Donovan kept going down low to his big guys and Butler couldn't stop them. Then out of nowhere the Gators stopped going to Macklin and Tyus. Stevens played the ace up his sleeve in freshmen Crishawn Hopkins. He sparked the Dawgs from 11 down to four. Butler would eventually tie even with a chance to win in regulation. After a couple of exchanges of 3s, the Dawgs had two last defensive stands and had knocked off the Gators to again do the improbable - THE FINAL FOUR!

Unlike last time though the Dawgs go into Saturday national semifinal not the underdog. Butler wears the white jerseys tomorrow! A Final Four and the Dawgs are wearing white? That's because this upstart known as Virginia Commonwealth, which basically had to earn its way into the field of 64, has shocked everyone and one upped the Dawgs in making to the Final Four.

So what happens Saturday. I am not going to go there because this game could go a lot of ways, but I will tell you what I think Butler has to do to beat the Rams.

VCU is a hot team. A team that can come into Houston and play loose and nothing to lose because they weren't supposed to be here. Then again so could Butler, but VCU has convincingly beat four of the five teams it has played in the tournament. It's closest game was Florida State in the regional semifinal. A Florida State team Butler beat in Hawai'i back in December. Regardless, the Rams are a dangerous team.

First Butler has to solve the press - break it enough times that Shaka has to stop going to it because the Bulldogs are getting easy baskets in transition. Against both Wisconsin and Florida, the Dawgs kept getting the ball in the coffin corners against the press and it allowed for steals by the Badgers and Gators for easy layups.

Good ball movement on offense and finally getting scoring from the New Castle snipers - Chase Stigall and Zach Hahn. Get that zone by VCU to extend and open it up for the drives by Mack or inside for Smith or Howard.

Defensively, what can you do? VCU is just so quick especially at the point guard position. Rodriguez penetrates and then dishes out. One thing the Dawgs have shown this season is a weakness to rotate over on defense. The other teams the Rams have faced have collapsed down on Rodriguez when he drove and then he dished out for wide open 3s. The Dawgs have to stay put and keep the perimeter sealed.

VCU has depth too and they can continue to bring in fresh legs. The Dawgs don't have that advantage and two players in Mack and Smith have suffered slight ankle injuries during the regional and need to be at 100 percent for the Dawgs to also be successful Saturday night.

Win the boards - the Dawgs have done that in the previous four games. VCU is not that good at rebounding as the other four opponents. If the Dawgs can sustain the upperhand in this category along with not making turnovers, Butler can win this game.

But VCU again I say is dangerous - a team playing hot at the right time. A team that will take right at Butler and say "We want Monday night too" A team that still feels it has a lot to prove to the world. They have proved it to USC, Georgetown, Purdue, Florida State and Kansas. More importantly they want to take it to the Cinderella of last year - Butler.

The other thing though is can VCU still remain hot beyond the arc at 44 percent? Will the law of averages finally catch back up with them? If the Dawgs can contain the perimeter I say it will.

No score prediction, too nervous to do that. I will say this if the Dawgs play like they did against Wisconsin, I can see them winning by seven to 10 points. If VCU gets the tempo going and is still stroking the outside J with success it's going to be a long long long evening for the Butler faitful.