It all ends tonight when the Butler Bulldogs face off against the UConn Huskies. Butler will be looking for redemption after coming within inches of a title last year while streaking UConn hopes to top off a magical run behind the brilliant play of first team All-American Kemba Walker. It will also be a battle of coaches tonight. Jim Calhoun looks to put another title on his impressive resume while Butler coach Brad Stevens will look to become the youngest coach (34) to win an NCAA title. Will Kemba carry his team tonight? Will Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard get their revenge from last year? It all tips of at 9:23 pm. Here is a break down of the ultimate edge:
Back court
Butler
Best Three:
Shelvin Mack 15.9 PPG 3.6 RPG 4.3 APG
Shawn Vanzant 8.1 PPG 3.2 RPG 1.7 APG
Ronald Nored 5.3 PPG 3.1 RPG 2.5 APG
UConn
Best Three:
Kemba Walker 23.9 PPG 5.3 RPG 4.3 APG
Jeremy Lamb 11.1 PPG 4.5 RPG 1.5 APG
Shabzz Napier 8.0 PPG 2.4 RPG 3.0 APG
All eyes will be on Kemba Walker tonight as he looks to bring UConn to the top. In his way will be the Butler guards consisting of Shelvin Mack and Ronald Nored. The key match up in tonight will be Kemba Walker vs Ronald Nored. Kemba is arguably the most talented player in the country. His speed and quickness make him incredibly tough to guard. Ronald Nored is considered one of the best individual defenders in the country. In order for Butler to win, Nored will have to contain Kemba's penetration and force him to take perimeter shots. Shelvin Mack will have to have another good game as well. He was shot the ball remarkably well over the tournament, and if he can stay hot Butler will be in good position tonight. For UConn it's pretty basic; Kemba Walker has to play well. When he plays well his team plays well and vice versa. The ex factor tonight will be Jeremy Lamb. If he can hit a few shots early in the game it will take some pressure off of Walker.
Edge: UConn
Front court
Butler
Best Three
Matt Howard
Khyle Marshall
Garett Butcher
UConn
Best Three
Alex Oriahki 9.6 PPG 8.6 RPG 0.4 APG
Roscoe Smith 6.5 PPG 5.2 RPG 0.5 APG
Jamal Coombs-McDaniels 5.8 PPG 2.7 RPG 0.4 APG
Matt Howard still has that sour taste in his mouth since last April. Howard played with four fouls for the last minutes of last years title game. Tonight his main concern should be to stay out of foul trouble. His tenacity and energy is great, but it can sometimes lead him to dumb fouls. He needs to stay out of foul trouble if Butler is going to win tonight. Howard has added a perimeter game to his arsenal this year so look for that to make a difference tonight. He has shot 40.9 percent on three pointers this year. For UConn, Alex Oriahki will have to continue his stellar play in order for them to win tonight. He has been an offensive rebounding machine during the post season. It will be critical for him to give his team second opportunities to score tonight.
Edge: Butler
Coaching:
Jim Calhoun vs Brad Stevens
The coaching match up tonight will be outstanding. Jim Calhoun has lead a team loaded with freshmen and sophomores to the National Title game. That is a very tough task indeed. His ability to coach through adversity has been incredible. Remember this is his third title game in the last 12 years so it's not like he hasn't been here before. Brad Stevens is arguably the best in game coach in the country. His ability to get the best out of his players is truly remarkable. I don't think anybody had Butler going this far. Don't expect Butler to be phased this time. They now have the experience to know what it takes to win the title.
Edge: Even
All in All:
Expect this game to go down to the wire. Both teams are used to playing very physical so expect this to be a low scoring affair. Butler really likes to get at you physically and mentally. They like to take other teams out of their game so look for them to try and mix things up tonight. On the other hand, Butler hasn't faced a player as good as Kemba since early December (Kyrie Irving, Duke won 82-70). Walker has the ability to completely take over a game by himself. But it will be his teammates job to consistently make plays throughout the game.
Prediction:
Butler 63-61 game winning shot by Shelvin Mack at buzzer
Kemba Walker 21 Points 5 Rebounds 4 Assists
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