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November 24, 2006
Pre-Season NIT Final - Butler vs. Gonzaga
Last year was supposed to be the year of the mid-major. The Missouri Valley stormed into the NCAA tournament. The Colonial Athletic Association placed a team in the Final Four. Storied programs around the country struggled with their smaller foes all through the season.
And it looks early this season like the trend has continued.
Two schools which have been the poster children for small school success are set to take it to the big stage tonight as Butler and Gonzaga face off in Madison Square Garden. On the line, the Pre-season NIT championship.
Gonzaga rolled into the spotlight during the late nineties and never left. Over the years, they have been favored to get as far as the Final Four in the NCAA tournament. While the names in the jerseys change, the results stay the same. The Zags aren't going away anytime soon, and it continues to be a destination location for some of the best players from the West Coast, topping even some PAC-10 schools. Not bad for a little Jesuit institution that no one had heard of until current Minnesota coach Dan Monson marked them on the national collective conscious in 1999 with a huge run in the tournament.
Butler has not been as consistent over the years but have had their share of success. Competing in the Horizon league has made it difficult to win season after season, going up against Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Illinois-Chicago, and Detroit. However, Butler did make the tournament after the 1999-2000 season and was a breath away from a win in overtime over Florida. They went again under Thad Matta the next year and made the second round. They made the Sweet Sixteen a couple of years later, keeping the Bulldogs on the front of everyone's minds.
So who has the edge tonight in New York?
Well, it might be the underdogs from Butler once again based on the results this season.
Gonzaga might have the big names we remember in Derek Raivio, Jeremy Pargo, and the tongue twisting Pierre Marie Altidor-Cespedes, but Butler has the tougher defense.
The guard combo of A.J. Graves and Mike Green are averaging over four steals combined per game. And they are not the only pick pockets on Butler. Through the season so far, Gonzaga has had trouble holding onto the ball, turning it over almost as many times as they take it away. This will be a big advantage for Butler on the defensive end of the floor.
In addition, the Midwestern Bulldogs have enough depth in the front court to battle with Gonzaga's leading scorer Josh Heytvelt. The 6-11 sophomore has been averaging almost 18 points a game, against tough competition, including what will be former #2 North Carolina, and their star big man Tyler Hansbrough.
The real challenge for Butler will be rebounding the ball against the larger Gonzaga team. Drew Streicher comes off the bench for Butler and leads the team with five boards a game. At only 6-7, the junior will be undersized compared to the Zags who feature at least four players taller than him.
If Butler can play their tough style of defense and get a few runs like they managed against Indiana and Tennessee, the Bulldogs should be going home to Indiana a winner. Otherwise, the Zags will be talked about once again as ready to steal the show come March.
Both teams have been here before on the big stage. Now one of them has the chance to shine.
Ben Miraski writes for MRISports.com and is a featured blogger on FanIQ. Readers can contact Ben at bmiraski@mrisports.com
Posted by bmiraski at November 24, 2006 4:00 PM
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Comments
I didn't read this until after the game, but I would have said before the game that this was great analysis (and history). My version of the bulldogs were able to win exactly the way you said they would. Like you said, the key to Butler basketball is turnovers and the 3 point shot. They use their advantage in possessions from lack of turnovers to almost always take more shots than their opponents. Making the 3 and defending the 3 makes opponents have to make tons of 2 pointers to be able to beat them. Gonzaga couldn't defend the 3, and didn't dominate the boards making this an easier than expected win. Great call and what a fun and interesting team to watch!
Posted by: Mark at November 24, 2006 10:11 PM