As far as I’m concerned, the 2008-09 college basketball season is off to a fantastic start. I have a major penchant for Butler basketball, and nothing makes me happier than an 8-0 start from a team that features three freshman, a sophomore and a junior in the starting lineup. OK, maybe the 2006-07 season that included a Preseason NIT Tournament championship and a Sweet Sixteen appearance takes the cake, but I’m living in the present.
My allegiance to the Dawgs is obviously a result of attending Butler but it’s more than just that. Ever since the first game I attended at Hinkle Fieldhouse as senior in high school, watching them play has been a special experience. Some of my favorite memories from Butler include waking up on game-day Saturdays to trudge down to Hinkle with a bunch of my fraternity brothers and cheer on the team from the student section.
Everyone has a different definition of quality basketball. Some people love to watch major programs with NBA shoe-ins and find Butler games to be boring, but to me watching Butler is where it’s at. I love their style of play, and the incredible level of unselfishness they show. Every player has a crucial role, its not uncommon to have four-plus players score double digits, and leading scorer is a title that’s passed around freely.
I don’t think anyone could accuse any Butler player in recent history of being selfish. The closest the team has come to a star in recent history was last year’s starting point guard, Mike Green. He was invited to NBA tryouts and strongly considered by the Cleveland Cavaliers before going to play overseas, but he was never selfish. He knew when to distribute the ball and when to shoot, and played perfectly into Butler’s system.
The best part is although the Dawgs are not anything like the major programs, they have proven time-and-time-again they can not only hang with the big guys, they can beat them. Butler’s record against major programs is really pretty unbelievable and its success in the NCAA tournament has been nothing short of amazing. I’ll never forget them giving the back-to-back National Champion Florida Gators a run for their money in the Sweet Sixteen. Butler played them closer than any other team that year.
This year’s team is the youngest squad Butler has had in a long time, and Saturday they will be put to the test. Playing perennial MVC powers Drake and Bradley on their home courts, and a Big 10 team (albeit, a lower-end one) was just the warm-up. Now they will face former Butler Coach Thad Matta and his No. 21 Buckeyes on their home court. It will be a test unlike any of Butler’s three starting freshman have faced. The Buckeyes will have superior size, strength and talent, but one thing they won’t have is the moxie Butler has become renowned for.
I just hope the Dawgs remember to bring their sling! (No pun intended in regards to Ohio State's 7-foot freshman center)
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