Today, April 4, 2011 marks the date of a new college basketball champion. It marks the matchup of Brad Stevens, 34, 1/2 the age of Jim Calhoun, 68. It marks the 2nd straight year of a Cinderella in the National Championship. It marks David vs. Goliath. Tonight we will see the biggest bro in the tournament in Matt Howard, and NYC product Kemba Walker go head-to-head for the game's biggest prize.
Butler: Coached by probably the best young coach in the NCAA's, Brad Stevens has led his Butler Bulldogs back to the National Championship for an unprecedented second straight year. With the talent level that Butler possesses, it is truly an astonishing feat. At this point in his career, Brad Stevens could legitimately get any job in the country that he wants. Doesn't matter if his team is down 20, the guy remains more calm on the sidelines than John Locke on a Xanax & Zoloft cocktail. Butler is led by their 2 stars, Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard. Shelvin Mack is a stud all-around. Guy has averaged 23 ppg in the tournament, and his leadership skills are unmatched. Matt Howard is the heart and soul of the Bulldogs. The Andy Samberg lookalike is absolutely relentless on the boards, and somehow is always coming up with loose balls. He can step out and hit the 3 if you leave him open, and even though he may miss a few putback dunks, you can count on him for a timely bucket. Butler also has the role players that you need to win a championship. Ronald Nored will be the best defender in the game tonight, and will give Kemba Walker a tough tough time. Shawn Vanzant, a senior, has played in this game before, and gives Butler another experienced player that can come up with a timely bucket, as he hit 2 clutch corner three's against VCU. Khyle Marshall and Andrew Smith, respective Freshman and Sophomores, give Butler two players who can bang on the boards, and provide instant energy. Finally, Senior Zach Hahn, the lefty 3 point specialist provides a solid player off of the bench, and is my X-factor for this game. He will hit a few timely 3's throughout the course of the game, and you can thank me after for telling you so.
Uconn: What else is there to say about Uconn at this point? They are undefeated on neutral courts this year, haven't lost a tournament game, whether it be the Maui, Big East, or NCAA's, and have the best player in the tournament in Kemba Walker. Led by Jim Calhoun, who looks like he might have a heart-attack any day now, Uconn is the clear favorite in this game. Calhoun, who is looking for his 3rd NCAA championship, has recently been suspended for the 1st 3 games of the season next year for making illegal phonecalls to potential recruits in the past. Nate Miles, a former Uconn stud and Calhoun recruit recently brought up a story in the NY Times written by Pete Thamel, about how Calhoun and boosters paid him over $200,000 during his tenure @ Uconn. But that's besides the point. Kemba Walker has been the best player in the nation not named Jimmer this season. The guy straight up does it all. His stock cannot be any higher at this point in his career. Jeremy Lamb has been a consistent scorer for Uconn throughout the tournament, and you can tell he is a budding star. He will for sure lead the Big East in scoring in the future. Alex Oriahki has been a force on the boards, and is poised for a double double tonight. Shabazz Napier has done his thing as well, however has thrown up more bricks from 3 point land in this tournament than Dirk Diggler in CYO basketball. Charles Okwandu provides a whole lotta nothing, however he is 7'1 and from Africa, so he might block a few shots here and there. Bottomline, Kemba is going to try and take this game over tonight, and he will put up alot of shots.
Prediction Time:
I see Uconn getting out to an early lead, and the game being very close at halftime. Kemba Walker will be a star in the limelight tonight, however will come up a little short. The tandem of Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard, and the experience of Butler's overall team, will prove to be too much for the Huskies. Butler wins 63-60, as Kemba misses a 3 pointer to send the game to OT.
The X-Factor: The lefty, Zach Hahn.
Now excuse me, I'm off to enjoy the last 7 hours that Duke is still the National Champion.
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