I know its been a couple days and I didn’t even come out with a national championship prediction. Well, guess what? It doesn’t matter because I would’ve picked Butler anyway (Honestly, Butler really could have won a national championship. I continue struggling to wrap my mind around that fact. It was THAT close.) That puts me at a stellar o-fer, an O for the Final Four. Fantastic.
In case you forgot, I was in Rapid City, South Dakota, attending the Finley-Templeton wedding (yes, I am using the wedding as an excuse not to update). The ceremony was beautiful. The families were great hosts. And both Adam and Kara looked insanely happy to be together. It was great to take part in the festivities with the happy couple. Congrats again to Adam and Kara!
Unable to watch most of the Saturday games, I did catch the last couple minutes of the Butler vs MSU contest. If the rest of the game was anything like the final minutes, then I missed a dandy. Despite being on the country’s biggest stage, the Butler Bulldogs made the necessary plays to escape with a win. I couldn’t believe Butler actually had a legitimate chance to win a national championship (did I say that already?). (Oh, and PS – Although Butler played Cinderella this tournament, they proved they belong among the nation’s elite. Move over Gonzaga. There’s a new and improved Bulldog team to be called the king of mid-majors.)
I would have picked Butler because I wanted them so badly to win. I’m not a big Duke fan. I’m not a big Coach K fan. And I’m especially not a big fan of either after the easy draw they received to get to the national championship game. Yes, they beat everyone they played. But were they ever really tested? I vote no.
Regardless, it couldn’t have been a better championship game. Well, I take that back. It could have. This could have went down as the best game of all time. Any sport. Any era. Ever.
Not only did Butler reach the Final Four, in their home city, as a big underdog, conquering storied-program after program, but they almost won. Twice. Two times the Bulldogs were within inches of winning the game.
The first – Gordon Hayward’s fall-away with just over six seconds left that proved just long. This would have put Butler ahead by one and in a great position to win the game.
The second – Hayward’s potential game-winning half-court shot as time expired that bounced off the glass before hitting front rim and out. Both shots were about an inch too long. Who said basketball wasn’t a game of inches?
If Hayward makes either, this is the best game of all-time. The underdog story. The home-town team. A highly difficult shot to win the game. All that against one of the most historic programs in college basketball history boasting one of the most hallowed-coaches in the sport.
The only thing that would’ve made this game better (other than Butler winning) would be someone making big plays in the end. Unlike 2008 Memphis vs Kansas, there was no Mario Chalmers three to force overtime. We didn’t see someone step up and savor the moment like Christian Laettner. Duke looked nervous. Butler’s shots just didn’t fall. It is still one of the greatest championship of all-time. But, like few other games can, this one had a shot to be the best-of-the-best.
Instead, it was more missed opportunities. Let’s look back. After Matt Howard’s layup with 1:43 to go:
With 1:18 to go, Duke’s Nolan Smith drives the lane with the Blue Devils up 60-57. He leaves it short. Miss #1.
Rebound, to Butler’s Ronald Nored. He races up the floor for a fast break opportunity. Finds Shelvin Mack open for three and a chance to tie. Miss #2.
Offensive rebound Matt Howard. Now 1:09 to play. Butler holds possession. Pick-n-roll leaves Howard wide open for another layup with under 55 seconds on the clock.
Duke ball. Run a set. Wide-open Kyle Singler flashes to the middle in front of the free-throw line. Receives a pass for Jon Scheyer for an open 12-footer. Airball. (Ok. Maybe it grazed the front of the rim. For all intensive purposes, airball.) Miss #4. Hustle by big-man Brian Zoubek keeps the ball alive. But, the ball bounces off the seven-footer’s big right foot.
So far, we have two open layups by Matt Howard and a lot of missed opportunities. Timeout.
Butler possession. The whole time, Brent, the WebMaster, and I are screaming “Hayward. Get the ball to Hayward”. The Bulldogs almost lose the ball out of bounds. Timeout. Try to pass it in. Timeout. Finally, Hayward has the ball in his hands.
Starting with about 10 seconds to go, Hayward begins moving forward. First to his left. Cut off by Singler. Behind his back to his right hand. Hayward reaches the right elbow. 9 seconds to play. Howard fights for position and Zoubek moves to help. One more dribble toward the right block. Hayward jumpstops. Zoubek steps up. 7.3 seconds. Hayward falls away from two-feet outside the right block and releases a high-arching rainbow. 6 seconds to go. Ball hits long and bounces off the rim. Miss #5. Rebound Zoubek. Fouled with 3.6 seconds remaining.
Maybe the most clutch play of our finish was Zoubek’s first made free-throw. A 55% shooter, I didn’t think it was going in. But, can it be a clutch play if it didn’t really matter. Regardless of whether Zoubek made it or not, Butler would have shot a half-courter. Therefore, it doesn’t matter if Duke is up two or three. Is the free-throw clutch? I vote no.
Zoubek steps to the line for the second. Misses on purpose. Hayward skies for the rebound. Clock starts.
Hayward moves around Zoubek and pass 3/4 court. 2.2 seconds. Singler steps up. Hayward moves down the right sideline approaching half court. A big screen by Howard knocks Singler to the ground and clears a path for Hayward. 1.4 seconds. Hayward steps on the half court line to the right of the circle. 0.6 seconds. Hayward releases a two-handed shot with 0.4 seconds as Nolan Smith contests. Buzzer sounds. Ball floats toward the basket beginning its downward decent. Ball caroms off the backboard, bounces off front-rim and bounces out. Miss #6.
Elation for Duke. Heartbreak for Butler. It was that close. A game of inches.
Butler has been and should be commended for their efforts. They play great defense and have a knack for making timely baskets. The Bulldogs play great TEAM basketball. They didn’t win with one-and-dones. In fact, no Final Four team did. Butler’s run is great for college basketball. After this year’s tournament you’re telling me we need to change the NCAA basketball championships? The Bulldog’s success this year proved that March Madness is running like a well-oiled machine.
Adam Emmenecker 