So Vegas Says it's Gonna Be Butler vs Duke

...since they are both favored.

Let me be the first to call it "David vs Goliath" (David always wins because he doesn't play on Goliath's terms), and comparisons to "Hoosiers" (who also triumph because they play together--also called "old school")

I believe Vegas is right, and I 'll take the puny lines. Duke covers the 3 pt shot better than anyone (who's left) and WVU needed the 3 pt shot vs Kentucky. Don't think WVU pt gd will find Duke on their heels to pierce thru the zone for uncontested layups.

Butler will take control of Mich St methodically, and will not relinquish.

Mid-major vs Big Money--Butler will help expand the Tournament with a win, and finally put an end to "Big Conference politics" by selection committees.

I also agree with Vegas.

MSU has been riding the "us vs them" mentality with Lucas being out (like Purdue and Hummel) but a week off, plus playing Butler who has that underdog role.

WVU needs a great game from the point, and a whole lot of defense--this is the "ugly game" for sure.

I think they should eliminate post season conference tournaments--or automatic bids for winners. And always a mediocre team will thug their way through, only to lose in the 1st round, and take away a spot from a more deserving mid-major.

Eliminate that useless weekend (which is ONLY for money) and start the tournament already. these teams don't need to "practice" for the Tournament for chrissakes.

lines aren't set as to make a prediction of what they think the outcome will be, but as a prediction of what they think will get equal money on both sides.

Vegas obviously wasn't putting much weight on the PG injury as the public is because the line is shooting upward very quickly in the W.VA duke game.

Money rules the world and we can always have the CBI and CIT become the new NIT.

Just pointing out that Vegas could view this as a "home" game of sorts for Butler.  So them being favored makes sense in that regard.  If this was a truly neutral site game, Michigan State would be favored

It is a neutral site game...if you think otherwise you don't understand how the Final Four ticket situation works. Each team gets a set amount each year. The rest are then sold in a lottery system...and a bunch are given to corporate america...just like the Super Bowl.

Yes Butler is in Indy...but Duke/Wv and MSU will all have fans there buying tickets. I expect to see more green in the crowd than the rest. East Lansing isn't far and is a far bigger school and has a far larger alumni and boosters than Butler.

Really it will be a ticket scalpers wet dream...tons of demand with Butler in town and MSU and WVU not far away.

sparty - I wasn't referring to the number of fans in attendance as I know it won't be Butler dominated.  However, Butler will experience the hoopla and preface to Saturday in a different light than the other three teams. 

Also, If oddsmakers were treating this as truly neutral, I don't think Butler would be favored. 

MSU went through the same thing last year in Detroit...don't think they have experience on their side?

Butler is favored because of the Lucas situation. Vegas has made a killing making MSU a small dog the past 3 games. They are banking that people will continue to discredit state and that people will bet Butler since they beat Syracuse and a tired KState team and  are playing in their home city.

Problem is Lucious is a talented player...he has alot of the same talents Lucas has. MSU will give Butler fits inside with Roe-Green-Morgan and Nix. MSU is a defensive and grinder team like Butler is....this is a complete change from playing Syracuse and KState.

Izzo knows why a team has made it to where it is in a tournament. He knows their strengths--which he says to all the media. But his skill is in knowing their weaknesses--which neither he nor his players will divulge to the media.

MSU can play small ball or up-tempo, which is why they are here.

I think after a week of practice and time passing from Lucas' injury, Lucas's situation becomes "old news," and not even his players will care now.  People only live in the present moment (schizophrenic) and we won't see his players play on a higher level for this one. Now they are Goliath, not David. They are the beast, the big money team--less one important player.

I think we'll see them give the same lackluster performance we saw last year, when UNC seemed to be hurdling over them.

I think DUKE will be a 4 pt favorite to Butler.

Certainly worth a ML play.

Hope your not comparing Butler to last years UNC team?

MSU's weakness is turnovers...it has been all year. If Butler turns MSU over they will win the game. If they don't they will lose the game. 

I was surprised to see Tenn not press that much...Pearl should have full court pressed them the whole game. If he had I think Tenn would have won.

Butler plays a similar style to UNI...they play solid defense and love to shoot the 3. Howard and Heyward are both solid players but are not the most athletic and have shown they can get in foul trouble at times. With that being said...Butler is not a deep team.MSU has lots of big men to throw inside with Nix-Roe-Green and Sherman.

Butler can certainly win this game if they play well...I just think its unwise to go against experience and coaching on a big stage like this

And my final "plea":

I hope we don't see any "MSU is ghetto" and Butler and Duke are "good, decent boys..."

I hated those posts I saw when Kentucky played Cornell.

Please people--we all have one common origin. Culure separates us a little bit, but not enough to be a hater on someone who looks different.

There's good and bad in everyone. I'm white, but I don't believe for a millisecond we are more "civlized."

Grow up. The world is changing, even if you are not.

I was glad in a way that Butler took out Kansas St, and Duke took out Baylor. I don't like the way the BIG 12 is trying to mimc BIG EAST basketball (which some here called "thuggery")

I blame the coaches. Hopefully will see more "controlled aggression" (also called "headsmart basketball), and less phsyical dominance.

I think it is given that American black athletes are better from a physical standpoint, but it is just a generalization, and it is only temporary (could change the next generation), and it is not important.

Good points, man