[Sly Fox]

I admit I am pulling for Marquette with the former Layer assistants getting it done in the Dance.

At least this should limit the Duke ramblings to the Fab Five thread for awhile.

[BigAl57]

How about them Cats knocking off OSU! Being from Michigan and Kentucky it was twice as nice! Don't know how they will do against UNC but i can only hope Harrellson plays a nother fantastic game.

[jbock13]

Is it just me, or is Florida just completely incompatant when it comes to setting plays? If you thought the one they set against BYU was bad... the one against Butler was worse. You needed ONE points. Not a 3. That was absolutely terrible.

[Purple Haize]

Is it just me, or is Florida just completely incompatant when it comes to setting plays? If you thought the one they set against BYU was bad... the one against Butler was worse. You needed ONE points. Not a 3. That was absolutely terrible.

I can't wait to hear Barkley say that at Half Time

[olldflame]

Florida's offensive execution both at the end of regulation and overtime was horrendous. Personally, I'm getting tired of Butler. They play really hard, but I think they have been getting away with a lot of physical play that is usually called, and quite frankly they have been lucky.

[VoiceInWilderness]

Well, my brother will be happy--he graduated from Butler... It's pretty amazing that such a small school can compete with mega-schools like Florida. I'm sure they have about 1/3 of the budget for their Bball program...

[Purple Haize]

Florida's offensive execution both at the end of regulation and overtime was horrendous. Personally, I'm getting tired of Butler. They play really hard, but I think they have been getting away with a lot of physical play that is usually called, and quite frankly they have been lucky.

I will agree that I am not so sure that Butler won the game as much as Florida LOST the game. Bottom line, the result is the same. Butler puts themselves in a position to be successful. And I happen to think Brad Stevens is an OUTSTANDING coach.
As for the physical play. Really? They are no more or no less physical then the teams they play. They don't play pretty that is for sure. I think what you are seeing is that they all look like choir boys, so it suprises you that they play this physical. Think a WHOLE team of John Stocktons.

[El Scorcho]

... and quite frankly they have been lucky.

I want to feel that way, but given where they were last year and that they're there again this year, I just can't. There's too much work involved for it to be luck again. They've got a great coach and they're obviously working hard. I think they're legit.

[BJWilliams]

... and quite frankly they have been lucky.

I want to feel that way, but given where they were last year and that they're there again this year, I just can't. There's too much work involved for it to be luck again. They've got a great coach and they're obviously working hard. I think they're legit.

I would have to agree with Scorcho here...for a while they were the new Gonzaga...that sexy midmajor pick with the potential to go far but not really contend for a national championship...but now they are really showing that they belong in that upper echelon of college basketball.

[SuperJon]

Florida's offensive execution both at the end of regulation and overtime was horrendous. Personally, I'm getting tired of Butler. They play really hard, but I think they have been getting away with a lot of physical play that is usually called, and quite frankly they have been lucky.

Funny. You argued that our basketball team was truly good and talented when other people said we played hard and were lucky but now that another team is doing it you're claiming they're lucky.

[olldflame]

That's a valid point to an extent SJ. I don't claim to be objective about LU. We definatly had some breaks go our way in some of our wins this year, but we also played hard and were pretty good at times, and when there was some yapping (mostly by realist) about our being lucky I pointed that out.

Being good and being lucky are not mutually exclusive. Butler is very good, and plays really hard. They have also been the benificiary of some bonehead plays by opponents at crucial times during the tournament. Stevens even said in the postgame presser yesterday that they were lucky to beat both ODU and Pitt, and you can add Florida to that list.

[thepostman]

but if teams continue to make boneheaded plays against them then doesn't stop being lucky? Part of being a good team is executing down the stretch, the teams that Butler played didn't do that, that is why Butler wins they are simply more mentally tough then the teams they have played

[olldflame]

I don't think you can argue the fact that overall Butler is very tough mentally. Not so much though when Mack comitted what may have been the second stupidest foul in tournament history with 2 seconds left against Pitt, only to have it trumped a second later.

[TDDance234]

Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good. I'm convinced Butler is the real deal and as long as Brad Stevens is their coach, they have staying power, IMO.

I'm not so sure somebody doesn't try and break the bank for him after this offseason, though. There are some high profile jobs that might be available.

[ATrain]

Butler v. VCU in the Final Four...wow, just wow.

[BJWilliams]

VCU I think has won every single one of their games in the tournament (going back to the First Four round) by double digits. VCU's AD better be phoning Brinks for an armored truck because he is gonna have to shell out some SERIOUS dough to keep Coach Smart around after this one

[soccer7]

Shaka is a brilliant coach with a bright future. With that said I just want to point out that this has been a building process with VCU. The past two coaches have laid the foundation for VCU to be where they are right now. Also, the Rams were a very talented team in the late 80's when Sunny Smith was at the helm but never really came through when they made the tourny. If Shaka does leave I would like to see Capel come back or Tubby Smith make his way back home to the Rams bench.

[Sly Fox]

Shaka is gone. Period. And I agree a Capel return is highly likely.

[TDDance234]

Shaka is gone. Period. And I agree a Capel return is highly likely.

I think once NC State comes down from the clouds a little bit, they'll make a serious run at Capel.

[Cider Jim]

Butler v. VCU in the Final Four...wow, just wow.

Which obviously means ONE of those teams will be playing for the National Championship.
At halftime, I'm picturing all the Duke fans drinking the Kentucky

With Carolina losing, my bracket has ZERO teams in the Final Four.
(does anyone else share my pain?)

[TIMSCAR20]

I'm relatively close to this VCU program and I had no clue that they could play this well. I have media creds at their games and I talk to a lot of their fans and they were really worried about this team at the end of the season. I was there at senior night when they lost a tough one to JMU but then got hot the next weekend before falling short to ODU.

At that time even the coaching staff thought they were NIT bound. I will say that they won the CBI tournament last year which in my mind shows how mentally tough they are. It is so difficult to go out and even try to win a 3rd tier tourney when you feel you got snubbed.

I wish I was going to the Final 4 this year but the timing isn't good for me. Sly I really wanted to get down there to hang out with you bro. Plus a visit to my favorite place, Sugarland Texas would have been in order. Mrs Sanders said that I am quite popular there LOL.

Butler is good though. If VCU is in the final game I will be really excited! This has been a fun ride! The CAA is the real deal guys. That league is really tough top to bottom.

[TDDance234]

Shaka is gone. Period. And I agree a Capel return is highly likely.

I think once NC State comes down from the clouds a little bit, they'll make a serious run at Capel.

Wow, rumor floating around right now is Billy Donovan is close to heading to NC State. Heard this was too close not to happen. I'm still skeptical but wow, if so.

Shaka would have to battle Grant for the UF job if it comes open.

[jbock13]

VCU I think has won every single one of their games in the tournament

You forgot the Florida State game

[Cider Jim]

Wow, rumor floating around right now is Billy Donovan is close to heading to NC State. Heard this was too close not to happen.

Why would Billy choose State OVER Florida?

[Purple Haize]

I don't think you can argue the fact that overall Butler is very tough mentally. Not so much though when Mack comitted what may have been the second stupidest foul in tournament history with 2 seconds left against Pitt, only to have it trumped a second later.

Think of Butler like a tennis player. They just return every shot. They don't over power you, don't do anything fancy, just hit the ball over the net. Eventually, the other player (ie FL) makes a mistake. Point Butler. They just put themselves in a position to win. If a team DOESN"T make a mistake down the stretch (Duke) then Butler will lose. But, as has been shown in the tournament, a lot of teams need to work on their execution in the final 2 minutes of the game