Well, I got half the national title game right, and only off by three points on the final score too with Butler. But, enough bragging, and get down to the nitty gritty and the analysis of this 2011 Championship tilt.
Both of these teams are here somewhat remarkably. Back in November, when most preseason magazines were coming out, everyone wrote Butler off as a "cinderella" team making the championship game last year, and Connecticut wasn't considered an upper echelon Big East team. it was more so a Notre Dame or Pittsburgh more likely to get here than Connecticut. Plus, even back in February, where both teams were scuffling, Butler was a longshot to make the field let along the title game again. then, Connecticut, was scuffling through the meat of the Big East schedule and struggling. But, this is why the tournament is so great, both teams got to play their way through a tournament and prove themselves to belong in the national title game. Note to NCAA Division 1-A football: this is the way its supposed to be done, not through the dumb BCS. Had to get that in.
Both teams have excellent guards. But, tell me a team in the field of 68 which did not have a pretty good guard. This game plays right into Butler's hands, as they are a team which likes to slow the pace and rhythm of the game down, and that is exactly how UConn plays. Connecticut will also have to play a much better game than they did on Saturday versus Kentucky, as they committed 15 turnovers, which is far too many in a Final Four game. Butler will try to have Matt Howard keep himself out of foul trouble, which he is very prone to do. Howard played 31 of 40 minutes on Saturday, but will have to try and minimize his fouls tonight. Butler will also try and have to slow down Kemba Walker with Ronald Nored. Nored has kep other guards in check, like Joey Rodriguez of VCU in the first Final Four game on Saturday. Nored kept Rodriguez very much in check, not allowing him to be able to pass the ball as he'd like or even give him the chance to score too much. Walker I think will still have a good game though. This will be an amazing national title game, and I'm thinking Cinderella will wear the glass slipper this year.
Pick: Butler 63, Connecticut 59
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