TEXAS TWO STEP

At the end of every sporting season as teams battle down until only two remain, or an Apple 2 determines who plays who behind closed doors (college football), media soon begin picking the match-up apart piece by piece. Part of their analysis usually entails deciding whether or not the game has mass appeal, or only caters to the fan bases of those particular teams. By my personal standards, this game can't be missed. UCONN may not carry the weight of a Duke or UNC, but they are a reputable program and a proven winner. Unless you live under a rock, you know that tiny Butler finds themselves 40 minutes away from cutting the nets for the second year in a row. Last year's loss was so agonizingly close, approximately 3 inches, that I think the casual fan would tune in to see if they can be one shot better this time around. It's an extremely difficult task to make back to back trips to the final four, let alone as a mid major that doesn't have the same pull for top prospects as other schools do. Win or lose, what Butler has done in the last 12 months may not be seen again for a long time if ever, so the chance to witness history is always something that should be take advantage of. Another rarity, Butler returns a team to the title game full of senior leadership. In the era of the one and done, a team with this much experience is scarce. On the flip side, UCONN comes in with a lot of young talent. Kemba Walker needs no introduction, and Freshman Jeremy Lamb has made a case for why they will be a top contender heading in to next year. Where Butler holds the edge in experience, UCONN can match it with raw skill. All of the counter dynamics are really what makes this game sound so entertaining on paper. Lets hope it plays out that way.