Before Saturday night’s main event, Duke versus West Virginia, an equally intriguing matchup played out on the undercard.
Butler, the tiny school from just outside of town, battled Michigan State, a team which boasts four Final Four appearances in last decade, including one national championship.
The underdogs came out on top, though, and now Duke will have to face a team Monday that promises to have a large fan base in attendance.
Butler beat Michigan State 52-50, in a defensive-minded contest that boasted a thrilling last couple of minutes.
The Bulldogs led by as much as seven during the second half, but at the :56 mark Draymond Green hit two free throws to cut the lead to one.
On the ensuing possession, Butler’s Ronald Nored missed a jumper, but redeemed himself with six seconds to play by knocking down a pair of clutch free throws. After fouling Michigan State on its trip down the court, the Spartans couldn’t capitalize on an intentionally missed second free throw, bowing out in the Final Four for the second year in a row.
Duke now plays that Butler team, which is bursting at the seams with confidence.
“It’s going to be a well-played game. Butler’s well coached and they’re a lot like us—they’re a very disciplined bunch that plays together,” assistant coach Nate James said. “They are a good basketball team trying to be a great basketball team, the same mission we’re on.”
While Butler does seem to many as a long-shot underdog, the Bulldogs are anything but Cinderella without the slipper.
Gordon Hayward, an NBA prospect with a multi-dimensional game, starts at center for the Bulldogs and could create matchup problems for the Blue Devils. He scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds Saturday, including the game-clinching snag with two seconds left in regulation.
They also have the longest winning streak in the nation, 25 games, and have beaten the likes of Syracuse and Kansas State during the Tournament. They also went undefeated in the Horizon League.
“I think they’re one of the best teams in the country,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “I think Cinderella would be somebody who had eight, nine losses… they’ve won 25 in a row.
While the Blue Devils attempt to focus on the challenges offered by Butler, they also can’t help but think of the enormity of what’s at stake.
“[The game] is everything. This is the culmination of four years for me,” Brian Zoubek said. “To have a shot at the championship my senior year, after everything that we have been through, is a dream come true.”
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