National Final Preview

Last year it really seemed like Butler had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win the National Championship. No one would have expected them to get back to the game with another chance the very next year. What they have done is truly remarkable. I said this morning that Brad Stevens should get an automatic invite into the Hall of Fame if Butler wins this game - and I say that only half-jokingly.

Connecticut has defied the odds this season too. No one expected them to do much this year, coming off an NIT season. But they have won 10 straight tournament games, led by their star Kemba Walker. I think if Walker has a good game, UConn will be very difficult to beat. Their bigs will give Matt Howard problems, and Butler has to have a good game from Shelvin Mack to compete. Of course, Butler has found ways to win against seemingly insurmountable odds already this year (and last). So counting them out is not something I would recommend. I will go with UConn, though, in what should be an excellent game.

Pick: Connecticut