How can you not love this special group of unselfish players living out a dream? Led by 33 year-old Coach Brad Stevens in his third year, this young coach gave up a junior executive job at Eli Lilly to pursue his dream of coaching. He began as an unpaid volunteer assistant on Todd Lickliter’s staff in 2000, and took over reigns of the team in 2007 when Lickliter left for the money at Iowa. He ranks fourth all-time for wins by a first-year coach (30), second all-time after two years (56), and first after three years (87 and counting). If he continues to excel at a high-level, he has a very good chance at setting all the coaching records.
Butler also has two former players turned assistant coach in Matthew Graves and Darnell Archey. Those two can absolutely be a big help because they’ve been in the players shoes.
This run ultimately will hurt Indiana and Purdue’s recruiting effort. In the past Butler has been forced to recruit a different kind of player. But no longer. Already Butler has been sweeping the state, taking advantage of the pot of talent in Indiana. 10 of the Bulldogs 15 players on the roster are from Indiana which makes this run even more special. Six were Indiana All-Stars, all understand the culture of Indiana basketball, and all are aware of Hoosiers. These unique guys each have tremendous character, all that is part of the special culture at Butler. With an enrollment of 4,200, Butler is the smallest school to reach the Final Four since the NCAA began using seeds in 1979. This isn’t the same storyline as the movie however.
I will admit—I was a doubter. I covered almost every Butler home game and a couple road games with My-WNDY’s local television coverage. The Bulldogs beat Valparaiso and Detroit by 5, and Loyola, Xavier and Clemson each by 1. A win is a win, but it was not a dominate performance. It wasn’t typical for this team to win by 30 each night like they did against UIC. If this team can defeat Syracuse and Kansas State, shouldn’t they demolish teams in the Horizon League? Essentially they did, going undefeated in Horizon League play but not by margins expected. They are a close-knit group, and each player contributes in his own way. The group is led by the Gordon Hayward, who Gus Johnson likes to call the “Baby-faced assassin.” He has averaged a double-double in the NCAA tournament, played tough defense and hit the big shot when necessary.
It’s not just Hayward. There’s center Matt Howard, last year’s Horizon League Player of the Year. Shelvin Mack, Willie Veasley, Ronald Nored, Avery Jukes, Shawn Vanzant and Zach Hahn. That’s eight special players plus a few others who have stepped up when called upon like Andrew Smith. Before the Kansas State game, he had only played 3 minutes in the last 5 games. But when Howard committed two early fouls, Smith was called on and filled in nicely. Each of the players have played very unselfish, and focused on the defensive end. The Bulldogs do not have to shoot lights out in order to succeed. They are a defensive focused team-–all of which has been very evident this NCAA tournament.
It’s all part of “The Butler Way.” Unselfish play, toughness, tenacity, and fundamentals. “If you don’t believe it, you can’t achieve it,” Stevens said. “This program has been built on that foundation of, ‘hey, where you’re at is great … but success is having and excellence is being.’ You have success, but if you want to continue to have it at a high level, you better be excellent.”
It will take just 3 turns and 6 miles for the team to make the journey from Historic Hinkle Fieldhouse to Lucas Oil Stadium.
First time to the elite 8. First time to the Final Four. Could they win their first National Championship? 23 straight wins is certainly a strong indication.
—————————————————————————-
Listen below to Dan Dakich of ESPN 1070 The Fan in Indianapolis with Final Four coaches.
Coach Brad Stevens, Coach Tom Izzo
Go Bulldogs! It's unbelievable.
I keep hearing people say that this will help Butler recruiting. Why do they need help? What I don't want are a bunch of 1 and done slack jawed idiots. What makes Butler special is that they develop players and a team like it used to be. You could recruit a guy and pretty much count on him staying the whole time. In Butler's case it is almost guaranteed because there are not academic issues. I'm already looking forward to next year because I know some of the players who haven't gotten much of an opportunity will get a chance. Better yet I know that, because things appear to be run systematically, they'll have a good opportunity to perform at their best. Stevens would be foolish to leave this group before next year just based upon performance. He will never be able to replicate what he has here in terms of performance. If he sells out so be it, but he won't win like he does at Butler. He'll never get a chance to develop players and a system like Butler's.
It scares me that this will turn into a Colts' Super Bowl, or even a Tom Watson at the British Open situation. A great, great story that doesn't end up with the fairy tale ending.
I'm a student at Butler and I the atletic department handled this ticket situation awful. I was in line at 6am, later to find out tickets were offered online to people part of the program. Those then shared the link and ruined it for all. They say they are going to do something about it, but we will see I guess.
I still can't believe my Bulldogs made it!
I have read some of the articles in your webpage now, and I love your style of writing a blog. I added it to my top picks blog list and will also be checking back in the near future. Please check out my web site too and inform me what you believe.
This is really a good weblog publish with thanks for sharing this academic information.. I will go to your web website frequently for some latest post.