UCONN/Butler

Tonight's the night! I have had so much fun watching Kemba in tournament play, and Jeremy Lamb has been equally as tough in the NCAAs. UConn has been doubted, and doubted, and doubted so more. Louisville Coach Pitino has even said that Butler will beat UConn, and it "won't even be close," predicting that Butler will win by "7 or 8 points." His main reasoning: UConn is a worn out team. Really?

As much as everyone is angling Butler as the "team of destiny," it's hard to understand why UConn isn't receiving the same billing. This isn't a dominant preseason BCS school that is now playing for the title. UConn has been proving the doubters wrong for the majority of the season. Most recently, UConn upended Kentucky, a team that was considered to be "too much" for the Huskies to deal with, especially with the revenge factor.

For Butler to win, they'll need to be sparkling from 3-point land. They are very capable. Shutting down Kemba is secondary to their ability to shoot the 3. If they are shooting well from deep, UConn doesn't have the fire power to match them 3 for 3.

For UConn to win, they'll need to do a much better job of rebounding than they did against Kentucky, and they'll need to control the paint---they need to make Howard a non-factor, either by drawing fouls, or with Oriakhi and company frustrating him. It's essential that they don't fall behind; they need to control the score and tempo as they did against Kentucky.

Best of luck to whichever side you decide to play!

Didn't hear Pitino say that UCONN is a tired team, hard to believe anyone would be tired for the championship game. They'll be a ton of adrenalin and emotion flowing and fatigue will hardly be a problem for either team.These are 19-20 year old kids in great physical condition.It is will and execution that will determine the winner. Should be a great game!

Rick Pitino called UConn a tired team a few times.

If you don't feel like reading the article, here is the quote:

"My observation is that Connecticut's a tired team right now," he said. "I think Kemba [Walker] is worn out. I think Butler is the winner because of it." -Coach Pitino

The blueprint exists on how to frustrate and beat both teams:

For Butler, teams which have beaten them this season defended the 3-poiint line very well by contesting each shot.

For UConn, teams which have beaten them this season played zone to eliminate the dribble drive penetration, and sent players back on defense to eliminate fastbreaks (much like Butler did against VCU).

Do you put any weight on the fact that Butler played VCU in the Final Four match-up, and UConn played Kentucky?

UConn played a team which is athletically superior to Butler, and Butler played a team which is athletically inferior to UConn in their previous match-up. Something to think about; how long will it take Butler to adjust to a superior athletic team in comparison to VCU in the Finals?

SPOT ON SARAH             

I'm not sure if the line will continue moving down, but I locked in my play early regardless.

04/04 10:28 AM

160465182- 1

Spread

$2200.00

$1692.31

Basketball NCAA - Connecticut -2 -130 for Game

I don't like paying extra vigor, but I just wasn't comfortable at -3.

YOU ARE A SMART GIRL-----UCONN WOMEN LOST TO NOTRE DAME WOMEN WHICH ARE FROM INDIANA ALSO THE WOMENS TOURNEY IS IN INDIANA AND THE UCONN MEN WILL BEAT BUTLER WHO ARE FROM INDIANA  THATS MY TAKE

That's a, umm . . . . interesting take.

Good luck tonight.

I would expect Butler to be the more likely team to be tired.  VCU and Butler wore each other out.  Both teams looked tired in the second half.

 

I think UConn comes out and plays well. Early lead is dangerous, Butler will put up a good fight either way.

 

 BOL

Sarah, I've always respected your opinion and will follow you with UConn. They have been very good to me during the Big East Tourney and the run in March. Was leaning UConn anyway but now I'm convinced. Good luck.  

well from one girl to another i'll listen to YOU sarah  but i'm still not betting this game pros are my game  SO i'll root for YOU  Sister!

and so far by what i see in my posted thread looks like YOU are on right side  because 7 people have Butler in survivor picks 4 people are on U person 2 are on overs 129.5 and 128.5

i think a teaser bet will work here both ways Butler + 7 1/2  over 125.5   U conn + 1 /2  OVER  125.5   U conn + 1/2  UNDER 133.5

Butler + 7 1/2  UNDER 133.5

I don't think fatigue will play a factor---Rick Pitino's opinion hasn't been valuable, I just thought it was strange that he was predicting a Butler "easy win."

Whenever I watch UConn in tournament games, they typically play about even with the team until Kemba takes over for 3-4 possessions and creates a little gap for his team to play with. He will need Lamb to contribute, and the bigs to play BIG inside like they did against Kentucky (blocking shots).

Napier will be key. He needs to be able to make some of those 3-point shots that he missed against Kentucky. If he and Lamb are on, this one won't be close. That's a big IF, though.

Best of luck.

Good luck to you, too!

Kemba will either keep cashing my tickets, or the season ends with a thud. He has done very nicely for me, and I expect the same tonight. I hope we see the Kemba Smile tonight!

I wouldn't base picks off fading/tailing Survivor picks.

Best of luck.

bol to you

love Butler tonight

It should be a good game. I'm sure Calhoun has looked over the Youngstown State and Wisconsin-GB games VS Butler; both of those teams blueprinted how to beat Butler, and there hasn't been a team in the tournament to play Butler the way those two schools did. Most teams tried to play their own gameplan instead of adjusting to what worked VS Butler.

My hope is that Calhoun will know what to do tonight.

Best of luck.

If you have time, check out my Covers.com Featured Blog about the Butler and UConn Fade.

I'll also be starting my job as a Covers.com Featured Columnist this Wednesday (04.06.2011).

what are your thoughts for the o/u?

I very, very, very rarely play Totals. I have no opinion one way or the other on the O/U of this game.

As much as I like UConn I gota go with Butler after theyre tough loss last year. The way I see it is plain n simple... Butlers hunger vs. Calhouns game plan experience..Give me the 3.

Good Luck Sarah

And likin the Over at 129

Michigan's Fab Five lost back to back in the championship.

Just a counter to the, "Well, Butler lost last year, so they've gotta win it this year" argument.

Buffalo Bills: 4 straight Super Bowl losses.

Not saying the counter theory is correct, but something to consider.

It's a dude.