As some might say it was out of characteristic for the Bulldogs to drop two losses in a row, which may or may not be true, but every team loses at some point. I'm hoping those losses are mostly behind us now (even if we still feel the reburcussions). The Bulldogs played phenomally on Saturday against Davidson. Despite a little rough shooting in the beginning, it is easy to say that their defense was unstoppable. As David Wood's mentions in his article on Indystar.com about Ronald Nored's performance against Stephen Curry, it was rather mind-boggling. As Wood's describes Nored's performance against Curry, he related it to the dizzy bat game where a person places their head to the top of a baseball bat, spins several times, then tries to run. He says thats what it looked like when Nored was running all over the court chasing Curry. Not only did he play consistant and dominating defense in the game, he scored six points (one including a dunk) and led the team with the number of steals (3). Gordon Hayward led the team in points, with 27, and rebounds, with 9. Click here for a link to his story.
Apparently the decision to let Curry play (after an ankle injury two games ago) was only made an hour before the game. Curry was held to only 20 points in Saturday's game (which is significantly lower for the nation's leading scorer). This is exactly what the Bulldogs needed in order to win this game. Ironically enough, the Bulldogs had to go away to actually win the Bracketbuster. The bracketbuster games in the past three years have been at home and have been losses(Southern Illinois in 2007, Drake in 2008 and Kent State in 2006). It could be irony but I honestly thought they were fed up with losing. Oh, and if you were wondering what the score was to the Davidson game, it was 75-63.
This game also might have secured the Bulldogs an at-large seed for the NCAA tournament (coming up pretty soon). Though they shouldn't risk anything, clinching the horizon league title and winning the championship would be nice to have. The Bulldogs have two games left, and the way it looks, if they win both games - the tournament will indeed be at Hinkle Fieldhouse (although Green Bay is one game out).
The women's basketball team also played Saturday, at Valparaiso. Unfortunately they fell short, 75-65. Three of the Bulldogs were in double digits, but unfortunately it was not enough to hold Valpo, who shot 52 percent throughout the game. The Bulldogs are still staying strong at second place within the Horizon League, three games behind UW-Green Bay (who are undefeated in league play). The Bulldogs have a winning record (16-9, 11-3).
Both the men's and women's next games are on Thursday, back-to-back at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The women's team is taking on UW-Milwaukee at 5 p.m. est. The men are battling Youngstown State at 7 p.m. est. Their game will be shown on WNDY-23 as well.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
On the Bright Side...
While I am sure many Butler Basketball fans are somewhat unhappy due to this afternoon's loss to Loyola-Chicago (13-15, 5-11), this isn't something to worry too much about. Chalk it up for another loss, only unfortunately, it is their first loss of the season at home. What some sports analysts would say is that this was going to happen eventually - being a young team and all, but honestly, a game is a game. Today, the Bulldogs were just not on their game, and it's not because they are so young either. Granted, they are young and still have some growing to do, but it just seems that Loyola came out stronger and wanted it more. There were a few moments in the end where we could have pulled it off, but the game would have still belonged to Loyola. They fought and held the lead the entire game. Sorry to say, but they were the better team....today. Let them have their glory today, because we still have a long road ahead of us.
The Bulldogs are still in the lead in the Horizon League (the closest is UW-Green Bay who are two and half games out) and still have a few more games to go in this season, not to mention taking on strong mid-major Davidson next weekend. While Davidson is not ranked, they are a pretty tough team with Stephen Curry leading the pack. They are a lot similar to us in that many can consider them underestimated, mostly due to the league they are in. They were the mid-major team last year that made it to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament, only to lose to 2008 NCAA Champion, Kansas. Like us, they do not have really any other power teams in their league. Next weekend's game will surely be tough for the both of them...and I hope this loss will give the Bulldogs that extra boost to walk all over their next opponents, but that's only wishful thinking.
In summary, while difficult, this loss was nothing but a loss. All we can do is cheer for the team again when they take the court. Their next couple of games are away at U-W Milwaukee and Davidson, followed by Youngstown State and Cleveland State at home. Without a doubt, we will be in the Horizon League Tournament and hopefully granted a great seed for the NCAA Tournament.
The Bulldogs are still in the lead in the Horizon League (the closest is UW-Green Bay who are two and half games out) and still have a few more games to go in this season, not to mention taking on strong mid-major Davidson next weekend. While Davidson is not ranked, they are a pretty tough team with Stephen Curry leading the pack. They are a lot similar to us in that many can consider them underestimated, mostly due to the league they are in. They were the mid-major team last year that made it to the Elite 8 in the NCAA Tournament, only to lose to 2008 NCAA Champion, Kansas. Like us, they do not have really any other power teams in their league. Next weekend's game will surely be tough for the both of them...and I hope this loss will give the Bulldogs that extra boost to walk all over their next opponents, but that's only wishful thinking.
In summary, while difficult, this loss was nothing but a loss. All we can do is cheer for the team again when they take the court. Their next couple of games are away at U-W Milwaukee and Davidson, followed by Youngstown State and Cleveland State at home. Without a doubt, we will be in the Horizon League Tournament and hopefully granted a great seed for the NCAA Tournament.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Message from Matt Howard!!
Sophomore forward Matt Howard has graced this blog with his words. Below are some thoughts on the team's recent developments that he sent me to publish for all of you...enjoy!!
It's great to be back at the friendly confines of Hinkle Fieldhouse after what seems like a very long road trip. The only nice thing about the roadtrips are the comfortable beds at the hotels. I must say they are much better than the thing I sleep on at school! I think everybody but Gordon [Hayward] would rather play at home (if you look at his road stats, you may understand). It's always great to have the support and also the familiar surroundings to help us.
The past week has been something else, though. It seems like from the two times I've played in Detroit, that nothing "good" has come from playing there, regardless of their record. This year, we had another tough game and lost Shawn [Vanzant], or the "BTP" as he is called by some, to injury. But it did feel great to leave Wright State on Saturday with a solid win. I still haven't forgotten the feeling I had from leaving there with a loss last year. I knew it meant something more to last year's seniors than just our first loss of the year because of the history there. Games that are considered rivalries and feel like that because of the atmosphere and way people talk about them really do mean a litlle more emotionally.
On a different note, I think everyone has put last Monday's game [at Green Bay] in the past and decided that while there were lessons to be learned, such as not fouling so much (of course talking to myself more than anyone else), it is better to take a motivated mindset into our future games. Teams rarely go undefeated in conference, and so the goal is to make sure that after a loss, you don't compile it with back-to-back losses. That is where conference titles are lost.
This weekend brings some different and unique challenges for us. UIC likes to zone with their big frontcourt and see if we can hit shots, and Loyola has a lot of talent offensively. I think my goal for the weekend is to play as hard as normal without picking up the cheap fouls. I know Coach Stevens would appreciate it and may be surprised as well if I do that!
-Matt, #54
Thanks for the message, Matt. The men's team plays at home this Friday (ESPNU) & Sunday. The women's team is on the road Thurs. night and Sat. afternoon. Try to keep up with all the basketball action...Go Dawgs!!
It's great to be back at the friendly confines of Hinkle Fieldhouse after what seems like a very long road trip. The only nice thing about the roadtrips are the comfortable beds at the hotels. I must say they are much better than the thing I sleep on at school! I think everybody but Gordon [Hayward] would rather play at home (if you look at his road stats, you may understand). It's always great to have the support and also the familiar surroundings to help us.
The past week has been something else, though. It seems like from the two times I've played in Detroit, that nothing "good" has come from playing there, regardless of their record. This year, we had another tough game and lost Shawn [Vanzant], or the "BTP" as he is called by some, to injury. But it did feel great to leave Wright State on Saturday with a solid win. I still haven't forgotten the feeling I had from leaving there with a loss last year. I knew it meant something more to last year's seniors than just our first loss of the year because of the history there. Games that are considered rivalries and feel like that because of the atmosphere and way people talk about them really do mean a litlle more emotionally.
On a different note, I think everyone has put last Monday's game [at Green Bay] in the past and decided that while there were lessons to be learned, such as not fouling so much (of course talking to myself more than anyone else), it is better to take a motivated mindset into our future games. Teams rarely go undefeated in conference, and so the goal is to make sure that after a loss, you don't compile it with back-to-back losses. That is where conference titles are lost.
This weekend brings some different and unique challenges for us. UIC likes to zone with their big frontcourt and see if we can hit shots, and Loyola has a lot of talent offensively. I think my goal for the weekend is to play as hard as normal without picking up the cheap fouls. I know Coach Stevens would appreciate it and may be surprised as well if I do that!
-Matt, #54
Thanks for the message, Matt. The men's team plays at home this Friday (ESPNU) & Sunday. The women's team is on the road Thurs. night and Sat. afternoon. Try to keep up with all the basketball action...Go Dawgs!!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Bracketbuster
The Butler Men's Basketball team is taking on the Davidson Wildcats on Feb. 21. The game will be an away game for the Bulldogs.
....just in case you were wondering, Davidson is in North Carolina
....just in case you were wondering, Davidson is in North Carolina
Friday, February 6, 2009
Recovering from a loss
After Monday night's first conference loss to UW-Green Bay, Butler bounced back tonight with a 66-61 win over Detroit. Both of these games were away, and they were both very close throughout the entire game. In my own personal opinion, I would say that the Bulldogs usually rebound with more stamina and vengeance after a loss, but then again, this may be true for most basketball teams.
During Monday night's game, the Bulldogs sort of ran into a wall of perfect free throw shooting. Green Bay's leading scorer, Ryan Tillema had 21 point total, 10 of which were free throws. However, during tonight's game, one of the sports announcers made the comment that Gordon Hayward scores most of his points at away games. I believe they said he averages about 16 points per game when they are away. As evidence to support their theory, he scored 22 points in Monday night's game and in tonight's game.
In the league standings, their win tonight against Detroit kept them a game ahead of Green Bay. Their next game is against Wright State...at Wright State. Now, the past two years, I have made the roughly 2-3 hour trip to Dayton, OH. They have also lost the last three games they played at the Nutter Center. Both of the past two year's away games there, and the Horizon League Championship game that was played there in 2007. There is just something about the Nutter Center that is a curse. So in summary, Saturday night's game is going to be huge!
Rankings:
ESPN/AP Poll - 11 in the country
RPI Rating - #9
Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 - #1
Bracketology (updated Feb. 2) - #4 seed in Portland
Before Saturday's game, the women's team is playing Wright State at home. It is also going to be playing on ESPNU. They lost their past two games, both away and both against University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee and Green Bay). Until their first loss to UW-Green Bay, they were undefeated in their conference. UW-Green Bay is the only undefeated team in the conference now.
In other news: University of Tennessee Women's basketball coach Pat Summitt won her 1,000th game tonight against Georgia. She is the first coach of both men's and women's D-1 basketball, to reach this milestone. To read more about it, click here.
During Monday night's game, the Bulldogs sort of ran into a wall of perfect free throw shooting. Green Bay's leading scorer, Ryan Tillema had 21 point total, 10 of which were free throws. However, during tonight's game, one of the sports announcers made the comment that Gordon Hayward scores most of his points at away games. I believe they said he averages about 16 points per game when they are away. As evidence to support their theory, he scored 22 points in Monday night's game and in tonight's game.
In the league standings, their win tonight against Detroit kept them a game ahead of Green Bay. Their next game is against Wright State...at Wright State. Now, the past two years, I have made the roughly 2-3 hour trip to Dayton, OH. They have also lost the last three games they played at the Nutter Center. Both of the past two year's away games there, and the Horizon League Championship game that was played there in 2007. There is just something about the Nutter Center that is a curse. So in summary, Saturday night's game is going to be huge!
Rankings:
ESPN/AP Poll - 11 in the country
RPI Rating - #9
Collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 - #1
Bracketology (updated Feb. 2) - #4 seed in Portland
Before Saturday's game, the women's team is playing Wright State at home. It is also going to be playing on ESPNU. They lost their past two games, both away and both against University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee and Green Bay). Until their first loss to UW-Green Bay, they were undefeated in their conference. UW-Green Bay is the only undefeated team in the conference now.
In other news: University of Tennessee Women's basketball coach Pat Summitt won her 1,000th game tonight against Georgia. She is the first coach of both men's and women's D-1 basketball, to reach this milestone. To read more about it, click here.
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