Butler Poised for Another Magical Run?

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Gordon Haywards last second shot in last years NCAA Championship game will forever be known for what could have been.

The Butler Bulldogs (25-9, 13-5) had made their way to the National Championship game after knocking off No. 1 and No. 2 in their region, back-to-back.

After watching their desperation attempt fall short at the buzzer, Butler was left empty handed but shown potential to get back where all the magic started.

Although, without superstar Hayward, it would be more of a struggle.

Jumping up and down in joy, was Butler at mid-court after making another last second victory to knock off the No. 1 seed in their region for the second straight season.

Butler enters the Sweet 16 for the second straight year currently riding a 11-game win streak and are on the brink of reaching the schools second Final Four if they keep winning.

But in order to continue their improbable run to another Final Four, Butler will have to withstand some outstanding tasks.

Namely, stopping the red-hot Wisconsin Badgers (25-8, 13-5) who win games on the defensive side of the ball.

Wisconsin was thought to be defeated in the first round by Belmont, but their stifling defense held them to 58 points and cruised to victory.

Just yesterday, the Badgers used defense to defeat the Kansas State Wildcats. K-State senior Jacob Pullen had scored 38 points on Wisconsin but guard Jordan Taylor made sure it wasn't 41, as he blocked the potential game-tying shot.

Wisconsin is a veteran team with a combined eight juniors and seniors on their roster. Taylor and Jon Leuer have played like seniors rather than juniors averaging double-figured scoring on the season.

The only real question mark this season has been, who will step up outside of the two juniors, and Wisconsin has proved their is more to the team than the two talented stars.

Butler has its share of talented stars led by Matt Howard and Shelvin Mack. Howard hit two clutch shots to win the game in both outings in March, and Mack led the Bulldogs in scoring with 30-points against one of the better defensive teams in the nation.

It's hard to find many weaknesses on both sides, which is why this game will be filled with interesting match-ups. The one potential mismatch could be Ronald Nored against Taylor.

Nored is a great on-ball defender, and Taylor is coming off a poor-offensive outing against Kansas State. If Butler is able to utilize Nored's defensive prowess on Taylor, the Bulldogs will be in great position to win the game.

For more CoHoops news follow us on Twitter (@Collegiate_Hoop) or subscribe via email

Believe or Not, Butler Will Be Fine Without Gordon Hayward

Posted by CoHoops DeAnte Mitchell

Last season, Butler reminded all college basketball junkies just how much we enjoy Cinderella's. 

The Bulldogs knocked off the number one and two seeds in their bracket before reaching the Final Four.

Once they reached the Final Four, Gordon Hayward led the Bulldogs over Michigan State by two. He posted a 19 point, nine rebound performance that enabled Butler to play in their first ever National Championship.

Statically, Hayward was the top contributor. But if you watched the game, Shelvin Mack was the backbone of the Bulldogs.

2010 NBA Draft: All-2010 NBA Draft Underrated Team

There were great players in the 2010 NBA draft. Some of the great players go un-noticed because they're over-shadowed by the big time prospects.

It's not common for scouts to overlook the player’s success factor in the NBA.

Some people are already trying to put together "NBA Bust" list and the rookies haven't played a game yet.

You want to know who the most underrated players are in the 2010 NBA draft. I'll let you know.

PG - Grevis Vasquez 6'6'' Grizzlies

Vasquez in my mind was the biggest draft steal in the first round--correct me if I'm wrong.

He has great size for an NBA point guard. Now let's mix that with the vision and passing skills and you have yourself a complete point guard.

He is a solid rebounder from the guard position, and despite his lack of muscle, he will be able to get into the opposition at the next level.

SG - Willie Warren 6'4'' Clippers

Warren was said to be a possible lottery pick before the season even started. Heck, he could have came out the year before and been a definite first round selection. 

However, his choice to stay, came back to haunt him. He was drafted very late in the second round, so something had to be wrong with him game right? Wrong!

Warren really didn't change over the course of the season, just bad injuries and less court action chipped away his draft stock. He can still shoot the ball, although his shot selection can be questionable, and beat defenders off the dribble.

Playing behind a guy like Baron Davis in Los Angeles is going to pay off in the long run. Something tells me you're going to be hearing a lot about Warren pretty soon.

SF - Gordon Hayward 6'9'' Jazz

When the Jazz made the selection of Hayward with the No. 9 pick in the draft, people immediately starting saying he was a bust.

"Oh, they're drafting him because of his shooting but he shot poorly in college." "He isn't strong." Those are some of the things I'm hearing about Hayward.

However, I am a huge K-State fan, and last time I didn't believe he was the real deal, he made me look crazy.

Hayward lit up this gym in both the elite eight and sweet sixteen match-ups. He has ball-handling skills and will be a productive shooter on the wing.

Keep doubting Hayward, and you're going to wind up wishing you didn't.

PF - Ryan Richards 6'11'' Spurs

After an impressive NBA Draft combine, Richards was still selected very late in the second round.

He is a big that is versatile in the post. He can step out and hit mid-range jumpers. Or he can stay inside and make fade-aways or running hooks.

Not to mention, he has the ability to clean the boards and run in transition. He is 6'11'' with the ability to alter and block shots as well as any player in the draft.

C - Hassan Whiteside 7'0'' Kings

Whiteside was once thought of as a lottery pick in the draft. He has terrific size, an almost unreal wingspan which is 7'7''. 

He likes to intimidate in the paint. He wants’ to own the paint and you can tell by the way he blocks and alters shots. 

His defense is better than any other prospect in the draft. 


He broke his school record for blocks and the season wasn't even three-fourths of being over with.

His offensive skill-set is still raw, but he can step outside a hit jumpers.

Written by DeAnte Mitchell