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March 15, 2010

George Bremer: Cinderella could crash Big Dance

Florida’s in? As a No. 10 seed? Really?

The brackets are out, and the questions have begun. Sports Illustrated’s Stewart Mandel got things off to a raucous start with this tweet shortly after Sunday’s selection show ended: This is the worst bracket I can ever remember.

I concur.

Minnesota is in after losing by 29 points to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game? And Illinois is out after losing to the same Buckeyes by seven points — in double overtime, no less — in the semifinals?

The NCAA selection committee is full of such mysteries.

Ironically, Indianapolis will host the Final Four and the game’s biggest party in a year that has been anything but kind to Indiana’s college basketball teams.

Notre Dame lost star Luke Harangody for a large portion of the season, somehow improved in his absence, and enters the Big Dance as a No. 6 seed in the South Region. The Fighting Irish could have a second-round date with Baylor, coached by Valparaiso native Scott Drew.

Purdue started off the season on fire, collapsed at the onset of the Big Ten campaign, rebounded nicely and then lost star Robbie Hummel for the season. The Boilermakers went 3-1 without their leader before being embarrassed in the conference semifinals by Minnesota. They’re a No. 4 seed in the South, matched up with potential Cinderella Siena — which ousted Ohio State in the first round a year ago.

As for Indiana, well, let’s not go there today.

However, one state school lies at the center of what could become the most compelling story of this year’s tournament.

I’m not going to make predictions, my colleague Quintin Harlan will take care of that in Tuesday’s edition.

But I do see a great opportunity here for the Butler Bulldogs.

The Horizon League champions are ranked No. 8 in the nation and have won 20 straight games and 22 of their last 23. They pounded Wright State 70-45 in the conference tournament final and likely are seeded too low at No. 5 in the West.

But that could be a blessing. A tough UTEP team opens the draw, but Vanderbilt, Syracuse and Kansas State could fill out Butler’s dance card on the way to the Final Four.

In a season where many of the traditional power conferences have failed to inspire much confidence, why can’t a scrappy team with a long recent history of postseason success reach the Final Four in its own hometown?

Each of those teams would present the Bulldogs with a unique challenge, but none of those games are unwinnable. If nothing else, this group of Bulldogs looks at least as good as the George Mason bunch that crashed the 2006 Final Four.

Many experts believe this field is primed for a deep run by a Cinderella contender.

Keep your eye on Butler this week.

The slipper just might fit.

Contact George Bremer: 640-481, george.bremer@heraldbulletin.com.

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