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What Might Have Been

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 14:13:25 EDT

MATT JONES

Of All the Words of Mice and Men, the Cruelest Are 'It Might Have Been'

As Gordon Hayward's desperation halfcourt shot banked just a little too hard off the backboard, Kurt Vonnegut's famous phrase from "Cats Cradle" came into my mind. Right now all over the country, people are praising Coach K and his Duke Blue Devils for their fourth title, putting the coach in rarified air amongst his peers and moving Duke past Kansas into sole possesion of fourth all-time in NCAA titles. But I don't care about that. Let the other writers celebrate the winner and crown Coach K the mightiest to ever walk the floor.

I will instead focus on the losers and how close they were to unmatched glory. Think for just a second what would have happened if Hayward hit his shot. It would have set in motion a celebration that would have likely never been topped in NCAA Tournament history. 72,000 in attendance would have joined every American who didnt have a personal connection to Duke University in an unadulterated glee ride celebrating the utlimate victory for the little guy. A small private school in Indiana, filled with players who were not recruited by the big boys and were never considered able to make it this far, had found a perfect ride to the Championship game and in the process, taken down the evil empire of college basketball. It is such a perfect story that it simply does not seem real. But the joy that would have emoted from Lucas Oil stadium would have been real and might have been unsurpassed in sports since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.

So you're saying there's a chance?

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 22:33:11 EDT

Thomas Beisner

We're just 20 minutes away from crowning the 2010 national champion and, to the surprise of many, the Horizon League representatives are close enough to taste the NCAA approved beverage locker shower, entering the half down 33-32.

A lot of the first half was the same old story for Butler as they got out-shot by their opponent (50% to 34%) and found their best post threat on the bench with fouls. But, as the Bulldogs have done all tournament, they've pieced together just enough winning pieces to remain within striking distance. Tonight, it's been team rebounding and 10 big points off the bench from senior Avery Jukes, much to the delight of the home crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium.

For the Devils, it's also been business as usual as their "Big 3" has combined for 26 of their 33 points and Brian "Jersey Muscle" Zoubek is on pace for double-digit rebounds with 5 in the first half. Lance Thomas found himself in foul trouble early (per the usual) and neither of the Plumlee brothers were able to contribute much in his absence, probably frustrating their father, Plucky. Plucky Plumlee.

Butler Drive Draws Inevitable Movie References

Mon, 05 Apr 2010 9:56:52 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

When I look at this 2010 NCAA Tournament Championship, a battle between tourney juggernaut Duke and plucky cinderella Butler, being played only miles from Hinkle Fieldhouse and featuring an underdog group of Indiana basketball players in an unbelievable but inspiring run to the trophy game, I can only think of one memorable film from the eighties to which I can compare the storyline of this exciting matchup.

That movie, of course, is Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.

In that film, a group of school kids from a small town in midwestern America had all their dreams come to life – but unfortunately, a villain waited in the shadows. Truly, the Butler Bulldogs are a worthy comparison to the confident kids in that film – Joey, Taryn, Kincaid, Will, Jennifer and Phillip. And just like this likeable team of determined teens at Westin Hill Psychiatric Hospital, they have a protector in Nancy Thompson (Brad Stevens) who realizes there’s a force much powerful than them who will stop at nothing until they are crushed. Nancy (Brad Stevens) also has valuable allies supporting her in Lt. Donald Thompson (Butler assistant coach Terry Johnson) and Dr. Neil Gordon (assistant coach Micah Shrewsberry), who also pinpoint the terrifying force stalking the kids and vow to assist Nancy in any way to help her (him) defeat it.

"Huggy Bear" makes an appearance

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:07:10 EDT

Thomas Beisner

If you're a West Virginia fan, things really couldn't have gone much worse for you on Saturday night. Your team got beaten on the boards and their usually stout defense suddenly disappeared, allowing Duke to shoot 53% from the field and their "Big 3" of Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer and Nolan Smith to combine for 63 points, 17 assists and 12 rebounds. And, worst of all, your All-American senior Da'Sean Butler put up one of the worst stat lines you could have hoped for: 10 points, three rebounds and one awful knee injury.

It was that knee injury, though, which occurred about midway through the second half, that gave West Virginia something they could smile about on a night that they'd been waiting for since 1959.

Butler to the Finals

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 20:52:36 EDT

MATT JONES

Lets be honest. It was BRUTAL to watch. And its likely the case that this is one of the worst teams to ever make the Championship game, joining the ranks of 2002 Indiana and 2004 Georgia Tech in history. But those facts are just the curmudgeon side of me. The other side, and the one you probably care about much more, recognizes the amazing story that is Butler being one game away from a National Championship.

This is simply not supposed to happen in college basketball. In fact, if you search the "modern era" of college basketball (which I define as the movement to 64 teams, creation of the shot clock and the three point line), only three teams from non-BCS conferences have ever made the Championship game. Two of those teams (1990 UNLV and 2008 Memphis) were legitimate powers, stocked full of NBA stars and potential Hall of Fame coaches. One team (1998 Utah) was an underdog, but also possessed three NBA players (Andre Miller, Michael Doleac and Hanno Mattola) on its roster. There simply has not been a team like Butler make it to this point.

Hank Williams Jr. Should Have a Song for This

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:05:46 EDT

In almost two hours, one of the greatest televised events of 2010 tips off. I am, of course, talking about Get to the Heart: The Barbara Mandrell Story, airing at 6:00 on CMT. There is also, of course, a little game called Michigan State vs. Butler followed by another matchup called Duke vs. West Virginia. Yes, it's Final Four time in America, that beloved moment every division 1 school in the country wishes it could experience right now.

These are games, by and large, which could go either way. It's almost pointless to truly try to project anything that will happen. But just for kicks, let's do a little prognosticating of our own:

Tom Izzo confounded by Butler. Izzo is one of the most resourceful, quick-thinking coaches in NCAA history, a virtual Napoleon of X's and O's. Will he figure out a Butler team that has shifted thus far to make adjustments to beat some of the best teams in the country? This Spartan team hinges on Izzo's mind for unraveling a team's mysteries -- but if Butler can keep switching things up and disallow Izzo to figure out a game plan, the Bulldogs could leave Michigan State confused and spinning its wheels.

10 Questions for the Final Four

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 12:54:24 EDT

DREW FRANKLIN

Here we are, just hours away from the Final Four. We have seen 61 teams fall off the path to the championship and only four remain. No, Kansas is not one of them. No, Kentucky lost too. Yeah, and Syracuse. It has been crazy. Anyway, here are 10 questions that are on everyone's minds as the 2010 NCAA Tournament winds down...

Will the Blue Devils find revenge?

#7 West Virginia upset #2 Duke 73-67 in the second round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. Duke will certainly have vengeance on its mind tonight. All five Duke starters played in that '08 West Region game in Washington D.C. West Virginia's Da'Sean Butler and Joe Mazzulla combined for 21 points in the upset.

Meet the Mountaineers of West Virginia

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:55:45 EDT

DREW FRANKLIN

West Virginia University

Dub-V, as it’s called by the local hooligans, is a public university in Morgantown, WV where classes are attended between hangovers and happy hour. At one time, WVU was the #1 party school in the nation.

Location: Morgantown, WV

Your Butler coaching mad-lib

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:23:19 EDT

Thomas Beisner

Congratulations, Butler fans. I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but it doesn't get old, does it? It's a fine time to be a Bulldog and you should be enjoying every second of it. You're back in your hometown, soaking up the Final Four glory and all the Hoosier references and Dick Vitale impression contests that it comes with. This is as good as it's ever been to be a Bulldog, which probably has you worried about one thing.

It's really going to suck when the party ends this weekend, huh?

Well, maybe not. You see, your trajectory into America's hearts and the elite of college basketball has paired with your Horizon League standing and given you a unique opportunity. As larger schools approach Brad Stevens for their head coaching job this off-season, your increased program stature means the mix is right to finally create the perfect message board rumor. At larger schools such as Kentucky or Indiana, where coaching changes have occurred recently, message board rumors have settled in permanently as a part of the fan experience. At Butler, you might just be getting your first great opportunity. And, it's an opportunity you don't want to waste.

Say, Who's the Cinderella Team Here?

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 14:08:00 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

Tomorrow all eyes will be on Butler as the Bulldogs attempt to be the first true "cinderella" team to ever make the finals of the NCAA Tourney. That's pretty impressive, and you have to hand it to Butler. For several years now they've been creeping around, preparing to make their run; and as the fates would have it, not only are they making their run now, but they're making their run at a time when the championship is perfectly winnable for them.

I agree, it's a great story. How can you not like Butler? It's an extremely likeable program from coaching staff down to the bench players, they've been trying to get over the cusp and into greatness for a few years now, each time punked back down as if they don't belong, and this year they not only offed number two Kansas State, which was no slouch, but also dismissed number one Syracuse. It's no wonder they're the talk of the town.

96 Teams Would Ruin the Joy of the Tournament

Sun, 04 Apr 2010 2:56:34 EDT

MATT JONES

The NCAA is dead set on ruining the greatest sporting event currently played in this country. No matter how much moaning, griping or throwing up of hands we do, the decision has been made and the pristine mountains of March Madness are about to be strip-mined for the almighty dollar. The press conference called by the NCAA on Thursday was simply an attempt to grease the skids on the inevitable inclusion of 32 mediocre to bad teams into next year’s edition of the Big Dance. Yes, the NCAA claimed that “no decision has been made” and that they are “looking at all options”, but those are simply public faces to the actual situation which is “the tournament is expanding, deal with it.”

Michigan State's Dancing Bear

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:09:16 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

Tom Izzo has called him the "perfect Spartan," a "blue-collar workhorse" and "tough as nails."

Illinois coach Bruce Weber once went off on a rant about him during a post-game press conference, comparing him to Charles Barkley, saying he "loves" him and proclaiming he's "green with envy" that he doesn't have a player like him on his team.

His grandfather called him Day-Day.

Get To Know the Duke Blue Devils

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:40:02 EDT

DREW FRANKLIN

Duke University

Duke University was founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present-day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James Buchanan Duke established The Duke Endowment, prompting the institution to change its name in honor of his deceased father, Washington Duke.

... at least that's what Wikipedia says. And we all know Wikipedia never lies.

Meet the Butler Bulldogs, America's team

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:23:50 EDT

Thomas Beisner

Depending on who you talk to, the Butler Bulldogs are either the greatest made-for-the-movie-screen-again story of our lives or the most false Cinderella team of all-time. As is the case with most things, the truth is probably somewhere in the middle. But, we're not really into all that honesty and truthfullness here at "One Blogging Moment". We like to exploit things to their fullest potential, which is why I proudly declare the Butler Bulldogs to be "America's Team". If you don't like them, you're a terrorist. And, even worse, if you don't read this post and get to know them, you might as well be taking a massive dump on a special edition Hoosiers Blu-ray. And you know Gene Hackman doesn't deserve that.

Is Michigan State an Unhateable Team?

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 14:57:03 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

As Tom Izzo's crew, once thought to be disabled by guard Kalin Lucas' ruptured tendon, somehow continues to roll along in the NCAA Tournament, it dawns on me that while there are many reviled teams in this country (Kentucky seems particularly oft-hated, as does Duke, Kansas and North Carolina, among others), that it's rare to find a juggernaut of a college basketball team which, by and large, is extremely well-liked. Such would seem to be the odd case of Michigan State. Travel the country and you'll likely rarely hear "Michigan State? I HATE Michigan State." Yet there are reasons to hate them: they're consistently solid performers in regular season play and Big Ten postseason action, and have two NCAA Tourney trophies under their belts. For many sports fans, a good team has infinite hatability; after all, they may beat your team next. But why does Michigan State continue to slip through those cracks? And how has Michigan State emerged this season as one of the pluckiest, loved teams in the Final Four (even if they may be a dark horse)? Let's investigate.

Hard to Get Excited About this Bunch

Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:17:49 EDT

MATT JONES

I am trying to talk myself into this Final Four, I really am. I look at the field and see the loveable underdog (Butler), the mighty unlikeable power (Duke), the coach looking to break through (West Virginia) and the consistent, “How Do They Do It?” performer (Michigan State). In theory that looks like a good bunch and would seem like a group I could rally behind. But I am just not feeling it and I must admit I am a bit depressed.

See this was to be the Tournament when the stars came out and we got to see the best of the best . The Midwest Region had Kansas and its pack of old school veterans and new school talent. I was certain they would win their second title in three years and we would all have to accept that Bill Self is more “NCAA Champion” than “loser to Bradley and Bucknell.” And if Kansas fell, it had to be Ohio State and Evan Turner, right? He is so good AND he wears braces, a combination that almost surely is deserving of a Final Four.

Do You Really Want These Guys Winning It All?

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:01:37 EDT

DREW FRANKLIN

College basketball is in trouble if the NCAA Champion opened the season with this photo.

Watch these two videos from this year's "Countdown to Craziness" at Duke and try not to feel embarrassed for them. Do we really want to see these guys win it all?

Season Cancelled: Duke Basketball:

Official Guide to Final Four Gambling

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:33:33 EDT

DREW FRANKLIN

For the four remaining teams in the NCAA tournament, the Final Four weekend is a battle of skill, coaching, execution, heart, intensity, and determination for the grand prize of being named college basketball's top team. 61 teams have already fallen on this grueling journey. It is an opportunity of a lifetime and only the strongest will survive.

But for millions of people outside of the four remaining teams, the Final Four is one of the biggest gambling weekends of the year and even more is at stake. Jobs will be lost, marriages will end, family heirlooms will be pawned, and households and legs could be broken all over just a few bad gambling decisions. For some, it is a life changing opportunity and only the strong - well, lucky - will drive off in that new car, pay this month's rent, or put their children through community college.

Welcome to the Party

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 15:55:33 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

And then there were four. Four teams from a field of sixty-four (sixty-five counting Winthrop), each having braved the bullets meant for them and emerged a contender for the national championship. Over the past two weeks we've grown to know and follow teams we may have, in some cases, had precious little exposure to before (I'm looking at you, Saint Mary's) or grown more respect toward (nice going, Cornell). But the four that matter now are the Final Four. It's their party from here on out, so let's get to know 'em.

MICHIGAN STATE

"The Resourceful One"

The Almost Final Four: What We Learned

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:14:18 EDT

Thomas Beisner

When the NCAA tournament resumes Saturday and coverage continues every waking moment, you're going to see plenty of love shown to the four teams who have overcome poor seeding, easy brackets and point guard injuries from all your "real" media types. What you won't see, though, is any affection thrown toward your "Almost Final Four" who fell just short on Saturday and Sunday. What about at Tennessee where an Elite Eight has never happened or at Kentucky where the Elite Eight might start getting treated like the Final Four after coming heart-breakingly short yet again?

Is it fair that these teams are supposed to be forgotten? Not in a society where participation ribbons will probably replace testing scores one day (not a Derrick Rose joke). So, with that in mind, let's take one last look at the four teams who fell just short of appearing on those corny Final Four banner t-shirts.

Smith and Scheyer lead Duke to the Final Four

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 10:52:23 EDT

DREW FRANKLIN

Duke 78, Baylor 71

After watching fellow one seeds Kansas, Kentucky, and Syracuse go home early from the tournament, Duke avoided upset against Baylor to advance to the Final Four. It is the Blue Devils first trip to the Final Four since 2004.

Nolan Smith was unstoppable.

Spartans Cobble Together an Elite Eight Win

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:09:26 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

While you spent the last two hours changing lightbulbs and cleaning out your gutters in preparation for spring because you promised your wife last weekend that you'd do all that stuff this weekend, in St. Louis Bruce Pearl's Volunteers and Tom Izzo's Spartans beat the tar out of each other in a back-and-forth that would end with a 70-69 Michigan State victory and propel them to yet another Final Four. Tied at 69, Tennessee guard J.P. Prince would mar an otherwise stellar, hustling performance by fouling senior forward Raymar Morgan, offering Morgan the point he'd need to send the Spartans to Indianapolis next weekend. Prince had 12 points on the day and teammate Wayne Chism chimed in with another 13. You can't say the Vols weren't competitive. There wasn't even a hunch as to who was going to come out of this one -- it was a dead heat. And it could have gone either way.

Hot St. Louis Action: Mich. St. vs. Tennessee

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 9:22:16 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

If you're in St. Louis today, and it's not because you're attending the annual convention of the Association of Pipefitting Manufacturers -- Midwest Region (APMMWR), I'm just going to assume you're here for the mighty battle for the Final Four slated for this afternoon. Today's Show-Me throwdown pits the underperforming and hobbled Michigan State Spartans against the overperforming and confident Tennessee Volunteers in what could be one of the most even matches we've seen yet in a tournament full of wacky, unpredictable upsets and blowouts. Let's go to the talking points, so you can sound really smart today when you're watching it with that brother-in-law or co-worker you hate. Your welcome, America.

Who wants the ball more? Both Michigan State and Tennessee have turned in nice total rebounding numbers throughout the tourney -- in the last round alone, the Vols pulled down 36 (mostly Chism's and Williams') and the Spartans netted 31 (evenly spread out among the starters). Should be active in the paint today, and whoever's scrapping underneath the basket more is going to give themselves a nice edge.

Huggy Bear Gets His Final Four

Sat, 03 Apr 2010 16:41:59 EDT

MATT JONES

Going into the East Regional Final, all the talk was about one thing: The Kentucky Wildcats. And why not? Kentucky has four, possibly five, first round picks in this year's NBA Draft, the coach that causes controversy everywhere he goes and a fanbase that is unrivaled in America. Add in the fact that the school hasnt been to the Final Four since 1998, and it is no wonder that every story on nearly every site (we dont read newspapers at One Blogging Moment ), was about the Cats.

That isnt how it will be today. West Virginia gave Bob Huggins his long-awaited second Final Four , beating the Cats 73-66 in a victory that showcased everything that makes Bob Huggins one of the top-tier coaches in college basketball. Huggins thoroughly outcoached his friend John Calipari by coming at him with a 1-3-1 defense that cut off penetration from UK's guards, made it nearly impossible for Demarcus Cousins and Patrick Patterson to get looks on the block and set up three point bricks from Kentucky that could have built a second Carrier Dome. Kentucky missed its first TWENTY three-point attempts, and with a statistic like that, nothing else really matters.

Party at the Butler's house

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 9:11:08 EDT

Thomas Beisner

Brad Stevens and his merry band of Horizon League over-achievers were heading back to Indianapolis tomorrow no matter what. Unlike you at your high school reunion, though, they're still going to be the hottest thing in town thanks to a 63-56 victory over the second-seeded Kansas State Wildcats. After 113 years of playing basketball, the Butler Bulldogs are heading to the Final Four.

And, even better, they're hosting the party.

Thanks mostly to Gordon Hayward and Shelvin Mack combining for 38 points and 16 rebounds, the tiny school that was expected to be a major player next year shut the door on the Big 12 power that had all the right ingredients for a trip to the Final Four this year. In winning their 24th consecutive game, Butler made all the right plays and found themselves in all the right places. Most importantly, they found themselves on the right side of the three super brilliant points made here on "One Blogging Moment" earlier today.

Bruce Pearl: Tennessee Basketball's Sweaty Savior

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 15:32:12 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

Last night, Bruce Pearl's Tennessee Volunteers did away with the Evan Turner-led Buckeyes to advance to its first regional final ever in Tennessee men's basketball history. If you're like me, this seems rather surprising to you. After all, it's not as if Tennessee basketball is by-and-large terrible -- quite the opposite, in fact. The Vols are fairly routinely, especially under Bruce Pearl, a notable team, generally close to if not in the top 25, especially since Pearl's arrival in Knoxville five years ago. And he's becoming quite the celebrity in Knoxville.

Pearl is quickly making a Ray Mears-esque play for the hearts of Vol fans. As a coach, he's beloved by the Orange Nation -- some might even argue that the only thing he exudes more than salty, excessive amounts of sweat is confidence and charisma. Don't believe me? Check out his credentials. in seventeen seasons as a head coach, Pearl:

Four places where the West final will be decided

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 3:06:06 EDT

1. On the Glass: While Frank Martin’s Kansas State Wildcats use a barrage of athletic bodies to hit the offensive boards and shut down their opponents on the defensive end, Butler carries more of the Tiger Woods marriage philosophy when it comes to rebounding. Yeah, whatever. The Bulldogs have been out-rebounded in every game this tournament and are facing their most physical opponent yet. If they want to make the Final Four, their streak of being out-rebounded will have to end today. That means the eyes of the whole world are on Matt Howard, YMCA superstar.

2. The back court: Kansas State sports one of the premier guard duos in the country in Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente. Butler, meanwhile, can boast of underrated star Shelvin Mack and, well, Shelvin Mack? Rarely does a team make it this deep in the tournament without an experienced, steady point guard. Though Ronald Nored has played well above his normal output the past two games (11 ppg and 2.25 assist to turnover ratio), he is nowhere near the top-level floor general that his counterpart, Jacob Pullen (who only has four turnovers the entire tournament), is and shot 18% from the three-point line during the regular season. The Bulldogs will need him to take his game to a whole new level today.

10 Things You Didn't Know About Baylor

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 1:30:43 EDT

DREW FRANKLIN

Baylor is one win away from reaching the Final Four for the first time since 1950, when there were only eight teams in the field. The Bears face top-seeded Duke in the South Region's final game tomorrow afternoon.

Before we can all root for the Bears to take down the ACC perennial powerhouse, we must first know a little more about Baylor University. So, here ya go...

10 Things You Didn't Know About Baylor University

Duke Dispatches Plucky Purdue

Sat, 27 Mar 2010 0:31:16 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

In case you weren't aware, Purdue was playing without Robbie Hummel tonight.

Truly, you haven't been able to hear the name Purdue over the past month without someone chiming in that they've lost Hummel, arguably the Boilermakers' greatest star this season. Seriously. It's everywhere. I think I myself have written that upwards of a hundred times since this blog began. He hasn't played a second, and he's all anyone can talk about regarding Purdue.

That said, how would you like to be Purdue and battle that for your entire postseason? How many times a day do you think JaJuan Johnson gets asked each day what this tournament season would be like if Hummel were there? The doggedness of having to field questions and judgments about Hummel's absence is probably more of a detriment than Hummel's actual absence.

Experience Trumps Enthusiam for Michigan State

Sun, 28 Mar 2010 8:45:55 EDT

C.M. TOMLIN

In the last two months, I was privileged enough to see both Northern Iowa and Michigan State play basketball on their home courts. The vibes were distinctively different during those games, and tonight the very reasons why those experiences differed were almost precisely the same reasons the outcome of tonight's game was what it was.

In case you missed it, Tom Izzo's Spartans -- sans big gun Kalin Lucas -- ended the University of Northern Iowa's dream tonight by dealing them a 59-52 loss and sending the Panthers back to Cedar Falls. Michigan State simply proved too much for the small school to handle.

Visiting each team on its home turf painted the picture that would ultimately seal this game's fate. UNI's small arena was rabid with a community who believed in their Panthers, knowing with each shot that their boys were capable of making waves, and that the rest of the world would soon find discover that for themselves. It was raucous and loud, exploding with support and confidence that this was their year.