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