SB Nation New York - Butler Downs VCU, 70-62, Advances To Second Straight National Title Gamehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2011-04-02T20:41:42-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18493922011-04-02T20:41:42-04:002011-04-02T20:41:42-04:00Butler Vs. VCU Final Score: Bulldogs Down Rams, 70-62, In NCAA Final Four Contest
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<p>Junior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52849/shelvin-mack">Shelvin Mack</a> scored a game-best 24 points to help the No. 8-seeded Butler Bulldogs beat No. 11 VCU Rams, 70-62, in a NCAA Tournament Final Four contest at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. The Bulldogs (28-9) advance to their second straight National Championship game and will either play No. 3 UConn. Last year, the Butler basketball program lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/duke-blue-devils">Duke Blue Devils</a>, 61-59, in the national title game in their native city of Indianapolis, IN.</p>
<p>Butler earned a 34-28 halftime advantage, but VCU used a 7-0 run in the first four minutes of the second half to take a 35-34 lead. However, the Bulldogs responded with a 10-2 run to take a 54-47 lead with 9:38 remaining. VCU trimmed the margin to just four points, 61-57, after senior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/25720/jamie-skeen">Jamie Skeen</a> made a 3-pointer with 1:01 remaining. From there, Butler used six points points from senior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27063/matt-howard">Matt Howard</a>, including four from the free-throw line, to hold on for the victory. Howard finished the contest with 17 points, eight rebound and made 11-of-12 from the charity stripe.</p>
<p>Skeen netted a game-best 27 points for VCU (28-12), which shot 23-of-59 (39 percent) from the field and just 8-of-22 (36.4) from behind the 3-point arc. Teammate junior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52918/bradford-burgess">Bradford Burgess</a> chipped in with 15 points and eight rebounds.</p>
<p>Butler out-rebounded the VCU basketball program 44-30, and shot 21-of-58 (36.2) from the field. The Bulldogs made 20-of-26 free throws compared to the Rams 8-of-13.</p>
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<th class="td-left"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76866">Final - 4.2.2011 </a> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/va-commonwealth-rams">Va. Commonwealth Rams</a> </span></td>
<td>28</td>
<td>34</td>
<td class="highlight">62</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/butler-bulldogs">Butler Bulldogs</a> </span></td>
<td>34</td>
<td>36</td>
<td class="highlight">70</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76866">Complete CoverageĀ ></a></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/4/2/2087569/butler-basketball-vs-vcu-basketball-final-score-ncaa-final-four-results-shelvin-mack-matt-howardJared Smith2011-04-02T19:17:33-04:002011-04-02T19:17:33-04:00VCU Vs. Butler Halftime Score: Bulldogs Take 34-28 Lead In NCAA Final Four Contest
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<p>Junior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52849/shelvin-mack">Shelvin Mack</a> has scored a game-best 13 points to help the No. 8-seeded Bulter Bulldogs take a 34-28 halftime lead in a NCAA Tournament Final Four contest at Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. The winner will advance to play either No. 3 UConn Huskies or No. 4 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats">Kentucky Wildcats</a>, who play each other in the nightcap.</p>
<p>Behind four 3-pointers the Rams (28-11) jumped out to a quick 15-7 advantage. The Bulldogs (27-9) slowly chipped away at the margin and tied the game at 20 after <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27050/shawn-vanzant">Shawn Vanzant</a> made a 2-point jumper with 6:12 remaining. From there, senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/27063/matt-howard">Matt Howard</a> scored five of his nine points to guide the Bulldogs to a six-point lead heading into the locker room. Butler has shot 10-of-29 (34.5 percent), but just 3-of-12 from behind the 3-point line.</p>
<p>Senior forward <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/25720/jamie-skeen">Jamie Skeen</a> has netted a team-best 12 points for VCU, which shot 11-of-27 (40.7), but was outrebounded 19-14. Junior guard <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/52918/bradford-burgess">Bradford Burgess</a> has chipped in with nine points.</p>
<p>The Butler basketball program is trying to reach the National Championship game for the second consecutive season. Last year, the Bulldogs lost to Duke, 61-59, in their native city of Indianapolis, IN. Meanwhile, VCU basketball program is trying to become the first 11 seed to play for a National Title since the 1985 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/villanova-wildcats">Villanova Wildcats</a>.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/4/2/2087429/vcu-vs-butler-halftime-score-bulldogs-take-34-28-lead-in-ncaa-finalJared Smith2011-04-02T07:00:26-04:002011-04-02T07:00:26-04:00NCAA Final Four 2011 Predictions: Butler Vs. VCU
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<p>On Friday, I described the Saturday's first game of the 2011 NCAA Tournament Final Four between the No. 8-seeded Butler Bulldogs and No. 11 VCU Rams asĀ <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/4/1/2083499/ncaa-final-four-bracket-march-madness-butler-basketball-vcu-basketball-brad-stevens-shaka-smart">amaculous</a>. The word was created by mashing the words, "amazing" and "miraculous", which may not be an accurate description of how Butler (27-9) and VCU (28-11) got to Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX. The unpredicted pairing, which is set to tip off at 6:06 p.m. on CBS, forces me to choose between what great story will move on to play either No. 3 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/connecticut-huskies">Connecticut Huskies</a> or No. 4 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/kentucky-wildcats">Kentucky Wildcats</a> (8:49 p.m. on CBS), and which one will conclude.</p>
<p>Really, this is the first prediction piece I've written for the this year's NCAA Tournament that the result will be a win-win for me because: a) I am not specifically rooting for a certain team just a good game (which a predict will happen); b) Even if I get the prediction wrong (which WILL happen) I will be happy with the result. Either way, I am like <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/charliesheen">Charlie Sheen</a> (#winning) because the Bulldogs or Rams will get their shot at college basketball's championship.</p>
<p>(Quick note: This is also why I am not angry that both Cinderellas are playing each other in the semifinals, because I want to see this entertaining match-up -- not just hope that it happens. And, I also want to see the underdog play a big-name program for the title -- which will happen in this case.)</p>
<p>Which bring me to this piece's public services announcement: DON'T BET ON THIS GAME.</p>
<p>Unless you're a Butler basketball fan or a VCU basketball fan, you want this game to be just pure enjoyment. If one team is trailing, you want the other team to rally. If the game comes down to the final possession, hope the trailing team hits a game-tying shot to send the game into overtime. Try not to root against, but enjoy the Bulldogs well-oiled and fluid offense and defense. Try not to root against, but enjoy the Rams fast-paced offense and pressing defense. This is a once in a lifetime sporting event that features two great storylines that are almost impossible to root against. And, if you bet on the game then all of this will go away. Why would you want that to happen?</p>
<p><b>Prediction:</b> However, if you don't want to listen to my PSA then take Butler because the Bulldogs have been here before and they have the better players, which is always the key in big games like this.<b> Final score: Butler 58, VCU 54.</b></p>
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<p class="game-title"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/va-commonwealth-rams">Va. Commonwealth Rams</a> <br> <span>@ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/butler-bulldogs">Butler Bulldogs</a> </span></p>
<p class="game-info"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76866">Saturday, Apr 2, 2011, 6:00 PM EDT</a><br> Reliant Stadium - Houston, Texas</p>
<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/events/76866">Complete Coverage ></a></span></p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2011/4/2/2332558/ncaa-final-four-2011-predictions-butler-vs-vcuJared Smith