UTEP over Butler

Quote Originally Posted by KineProfessor:

I am shocked how many people like this UTEP team.  If Oklahoma is their best out of conference win - YIKES! 

Conference USA is a VERY weak conference (IMO).  If Houston hadn't won the conference, they would have had ONE representative from their conference. 

This game is all about matchups.  Butler is a much more disciplined team and I will take Matt Howard over Caracter ANY DAY. 

Should be a really good game and I can see there being plenty of people on both sides of this one

Completely agree with Howard and even Heyward rotating on the defensive end controlling the matchp -vs- Caracter, limiting his role in the offense. I just firmly believe that Randy Culpepper will go for thirty points in this game. He is the BEST player on this team and the offense runs through his dribble penetration and ability to draw fouls in the lane. Even though Mack is considerably bigger and could create a potential mismatch similar to chauncey Billups, I think Culpepper will be able to run circles around him and force weak side help in the lane, leaving UTEP's big three Forwards open for layups and easy second chance opportunities.

Butler has been troubled with frontcourt size all year, especially their games against Detroit. Caracter, Williams and Moultrie will control the defensive glass and should limit Butler to several one possession opportunities. I will be interested to see if Butler establishes a halfcourt set or will be willing to run with the Miners.

The overwhelming advantage in Butler's favor is their three point shooting (UTEP's inability to defend the arc; see Houston 12-25 (48%)) and their FT percentage. If this is a close game, Butler will have a distinct advantage, allowing them to close the game out from the stripe.

I have no idea what the line is but I figured UTEP +4. Should be a good 5-12 game though.