Duke prevails; Butler had their chances.

The National Championship game was a game of close calls. Butler had many opportunities to score. Duke had many opportunities to pull away. Gordon Hayward came within inches of what would have been one of the greatest college basketball shots of all time. Duke gets the close win, 61-59.

Despite the game being close, Butler couldn’t hit field goals down the stretch. They missed seven of nine attempts, including a 3-pointer to tie, a two-pointer to go ahead and a 3-pointer to win in the final minute. The Butler three, Hayward, Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard, shot 10-34 from the field. Duke’s three, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, shot 17-40 from the field.

Duke also began using their size in the second half. They won the offensive rebound battle eight to two after losing 10-3 in the first half.

Although Duke won, Butler played an amazing game. They did everything they needed to do, except make the shots at the end. Butler had their chances, but in the end, Duke was the better team. It was a great March Madness, and the title game couldn’t have been better.

Note: Alanna Medearis wins the I Am Sportacus bracket challenge with 123 points. She successfully chose Duke as the champion. Congratulations.

Duke's three-headed attack tames Bulldogs

The underdog Butler team gave favorite Duke a legitimate run for their money. In the end, they fell short 61-59, when Gordon Hayward’s running 3-point effort hit the back board the front of the rim and fell out.

Duke won its fourth national championship behind its three-headed attack of Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler and Jon Scheyer.

The trio combined for 47 points, 18 rebounds and 11 assists.

Duke shot better down the stretch, hitting 44 percent of their shots from the floor and sinking 10-of-16 free throws.

Butler lagged in field goal percentage (34 percent) but stayed in the game by hitting 6-of-18 3 pointers.

Hayward finished with 12 points, as did Shelvin Mack. The duo led the way for the hometown Bulldogs Matt Howard added 11.

Butler was in control of the offensive glass in the first half, but Duke neutralized their efforts as the game drew to a close – even with Brian Zoubek picking up his fourth foul with 11:21 remaining.

Duke had to use every attack and every defense they had to hold off Butler and it’s certainly a deserved championship.

The game is coming down to Duke's size; Butler needs to find a way to get points

The championship game has come down to this. With Duke leading by three and only three minutes remaining, it will come down to who makes the most stops at the end.

Butler holds and advantage at the free throw-line in the second half by nine points; however, Duke’s size is keeping Butler to only one shot while giving the Blue Devils more possessions.

It looks like the size advantage of Duke is dictating the outcome at the moment. If Butler doesn’t start to make shots, Duke will put it away and make it a free throw shooting game. They shoot over 70 percent as a team.

Duke taking advantage of size advantage; Butler missing good looks

With less than eight minutes left in the title game, a champion hasn’t emerged yet. Butler is playing a great defensive game, but they cannot get the wide-open buckets. The result is a four-point Duke lead.

With the game as even as it is, the little things will win the game. Duke has taken advantage of Butler’s foul trouble by using their size. Butler has had good looks, but they cannot connect.

The one thing keeping Butler in the game is the rebounding. The smaller Bulldogs are all over the ball, and Duke is having trouble getting second chances.

Duke beginning to rebound; Butler in foul trouble

Duke has averaged 73.4 pointes per game, but Butler’s defense is limiting them to one shot on most possessions. The result is a close game with l3 minutes to go.

Duke is beginning to get more second chance opportunities, however. They had two offensive rebounds on one series and couldn’t score, and they had a tip-in with the shot clock winding down in another. The Blue Devils will need to continue to pound the glass.

Butler’s Matt Howard is now sitting with four fouls, and the Bulldogs will need to keep up the defensive pressure. Howard is a great presence down low, and Duke will be looking to drive and pass now.

Duke is winning 45-43. Can Butler overcome the loss of size and continue to keep Duke off the glass? The game depends on it.

Even through halftime

The NCAA title game has certainly lived up to the hype through one half as Duke leads 33-32 at the break.

The teams have matched each other with 13 field goals each. Butler is shooting 1-of-4 from the stripe, while the Blue Devils have made 4-of-9; neither total is impressive. Butler has made five 3s to Dukes three. The result is a very close game that could go either way at this point.

Butler forward Avery Jukes has been impressive off the bench. He’s scored 10 points, including a 3 near the end of the half, and pulled down two rebounds. His presence was strongly needed when Matt Howard left the game with his second foul.

Shelvin Mack has eight points, including a pair of 3s, for the Bulldogs.

For Duke, Kyle Singler, Nolan Smith and Jon Scheyer have shared the workload the same way they have the entire tournament. Singler has nine points and five rebounds at half; Smith has nine points, including a 3; and Scheyer has eight points and three assists.

Butler has owned the glass on its own end, pulling down 10 offensive rebounds. Second chance points could prove deadly for Duke, if they do not get more aggressive on missed Bulldog shots.

Butler winning offensive rebound battle; keeping close with 3-pointer

With Ronald Nored and Matt Howard on the bench, the starting point guard and center respectively, the Butler Bulldogs have used second chance opportunities and the 3-pointer to stay close with Duke. The Blue Devils are shooting 51 percent from the field, but Butler has ten offensive rebounds and five 3-pointers.

On the defensive side, Butler has held Duke to only three offensive rebounds. Duke has been the best offensive rebounding team of the tournament, and they have made it here with the strength of their second chance opportunities.

If Butler can continue to hold Duke away from the offensive glass, they can shorten the game and give themselves a chance in the final minutes of the game. Look for Duke to try and assert their big players on the boards in the second half, and Butler to use more dribble penetration to open up open looks for the hot outside shooters. Duke 33, Butler 32.

Butler keeping up with Duke with offensive rebounds; Duke out shooting them

Duke leads all NCAA tournament teams with 74 offensive rebounds, and it was the main reason they crushed Wet Virginia, which helped them score over 20 second chance points. However, Butler is the team taking advantage of the second chances in the first half of the National Championship game.

They have four offensive rebounds, but they were able to score four second chance points to mask their eight for 26 shooting from the field. If Butler cannot start making shots, they will need to control the glass to allow second chance points. Butler can control the clock and tempo allowing less scoring opportunities for the Blue Devils.

If they cannot do this, Duke is shooting 50 percent from the field, and they will begin to pull away. The Bulldogs will need to force turnovers and stop the second chance opportunities of Duke as well. Duke 26, Butler 20.

Butler hitting 3s, Duke making free throws.

Despite shooting just 3-of-12 from inside the arc, Butler trails by just two because of some sharp shooting from 3-point range.

Butler is shooting 3-of-5 from behind the arc. Shelvin Mack has two and Zach Hahn hit one just before the stop in play.

Kyle Singler answered with his own 3, but Duke is only 1-of-4 from long-range.

Duke is winning the battle at the free-throw line, shooting 60 percent to Butler’s 25 percent.

There is still plenty of time for each team to improve in each phase.

Early missed shots could haunt Butler

Early on, Butler has proven they intend to play with a lot of intensity. If they hope to have success, however, the Bulldog’s intensity cannot become anxiety.

Butler has gotten several good looks under the basket, but none of the shot have fallen. Two 3-pointer by Shelvin Mack has kept the score close, but Butler needs to take advantage of their opportunities in the early portion of the game.

Matt Howard has missed 3-of-4 free throws, which aren’t helping either.

Nolan Smith looks good early for Duke, hitting his first two field goals of the game and pulling down a rebound. Jon Scheyer’s hustle to block a fast break, shows the Blue Devils are willing to match Butler’s tempo.

NCAA basketball championship features dynasty, Cinderella

Tonight’s NCAA championship basketball game pits polar opposite teams against one another.

Duke is appearing in its 10^th NCAA title game, and is seeking its fourth title. The Blue Devils won in 2001 when they defeated Arizona; and won back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992, beating Kansas and Michigan, respectively.

On the other side of the court is this year’s Cinderella-story Butler. The Butler Bulldogs made it all the way to the NCAA championship game as a five-seed. Butler beat fellow five-seed Michigan State in front of a home Indianapolis crowd and will be looking to win its first NCAA title.

The team’s have very different coaches as well. Duke boasts veteran coach Mike Krzyzewski, who coached Duke to all three of its national titles, has coached in 25 NCAA tournament bids and has made 10 final four appearances.

Butler is coached by Brad Stevens. Since becoming head coach in 2007, Stevens and the Bulldogs have been a mainstay atop the Horizon League Standings.

This year the young coach guided Butler to a 33-4 record and is one win away from putting his team in the record book.

While there are many differences between the two teams, the important similarity is they have won five tournament games in a row. Whoever wins the sixth gets all the glory.

Though Butler is less experienced as a school in championship basketball games they should not be ruled out. If they continue to hustle and play solid defense the can stay in the game. If Duke misses shots early, Butler can take advantage.

On the flip side, if Duke gets hot early, it could send the Bulldogs reeling. A productive start is the key for the Blue Devils to nail down its fourth NCAA championship.

One thing is for sure, neither team will go quietly - and that will make an entertaining basketball game.

Josh’s pick: Duke 68 – Butler 65. Butler will put up a good fight, but will run into similar problems Baylor had with Duke. Duke’s talent, and Coach K’s experience will prevail in the end.

Be sure to check back at the blog as both Anthony and Josh will be posting throughout tonight’s game. It is scheduled to tip-off at 8:21 p.m.

Final Four preview

Butler vs Michigan State

The first Final Four game features two number five seeds, Michigan State out of the Midwest region and Butler out of the West.

Players to watch

Durrell Summers- MS; guard

Raymar Morgan- MS; forward

Korie Lucious- MS; guard

Gordon Hayward- B; guard/forward

Shelvin Mack- B; guard

Matt Howard- B; forward

Why Butler will win:

Hayward and Mack will shoot over 50 percent, and the defense, led by Howard, will force Michigan State into a half court game. Butler is playing in Indianapolis, where there home is located, and if they can jump out to an early lead based on good shooting and smothering defense, the crowd will give them an edge.

They must force turnovers and stop the transition offense of the Spartans. Lucious loves to pass it to Summers down low, so Hayward and Howard have to stay with the zone. If Butler forces the game into a low-scoring affair, they have a great chance to win.

Why Michigan State will win:

They will control the tempo, and Lucious will lead the team without making unforced errors. With Kalin Lucas out, Lucious will need to play smart. There has been too many times where he played like a freshman. The Spartans will also have to control the paint. Summers and Morgan like to run to an area and shoot. If they can force Butler to cheat towards the inside, the Spartans will have open jump shots for their shooters.

The Spartans also have the more experienced coach in Tom Izzo. If the game gets into a chess match, the Spartans have the edge.

Prediction: Spartans 63, Butler 60

I think the experience will be just enough to propel the Spartans to victory. Izzo will have his team ready to play, and although Butler will have some success slowing the tempo, the Spartans have already had success against Wisconsin and Northern Iowa versus the half court scheme. I also see Lucious playing his best. The game will come down to the final seconds, and the Spartans hit their free throws in pressure situations.

Duke vs West Virginia

In the second game for the Final Four, the only No. 1 seed will square of against a No. 2 seed that already defeated a No. 1. Duke is out of the South region, and West Virginia is out of the East.

Key players

Nolan Smith- D; guard

Jon Scheyer- D; guard

Kyle Singler- D; forward

Da’Sean Butler- WV; forward

Joe Mazzula- WV; guard

Kevin Jones- WV; forward

Duke will win if:

The Blue Devils play the defense shown throughout the season. Duke has had its best defense in a long while, maybe ever. If their big three of Singler, Scheyer and Smith knock down their shots and Brian Zoubeck stays out of foul trouble, Duke will be very hard to beat. They can score in the half court and in transition.

They are the underdogs despite their seeding, and they could use it as a motivational tool. If Duke builds a lead, it will be hard to come back.

West Virginia will win if:

Butler and Mazzula take over the game. Butler can be a beast in the paint and Mazzula can use dribble penetration to weaken the Duke zone. If they can control the paint and force the Duke big men into foul trouble, the Blue Devils will have a hard time without much depth on the bench.

West Virginia just knocked off Kentucky by forcing them to be shooters. If Scheyer or Singler cannot hit outside shots, the Mountaineers will be able to control the game and force Duke to play catch up.

Prediction: Mountaineers 75, Duke 63

I believe West Virginia will force Duke to make jump shots, and Butler and Mazzula will force the Blue Devils into foul trouble. Without big men or a high shooting percentage, the Mountaineers will jump out to a lead and force Duke to play harder defense.

The Mountaineers have the scorers to match Duke’s three, and they have more depth.

Michigan State/New Mexico State offer the evening's most exciting game

Gonzaga, almost went wire to wire in its game versus Florida State. The Bulldogs won 67-60.

Matt Bouldin led Gonzaga with 17 points and eight rebounds. He was one of four Gonzaga players to reach double figures. Steven Gray had 15 points, Elias Harris had 13 and Robert Sacre had 13 to assist the Bulldog attack.

Elsewhere, Duke made easy work of play-in qualifier Arkansas-Pine Bluff, despite Woody Paige’s surprise. No one would argue Winthrop would have given a better fight, but Arkansas-PB came up stale.

Duke won the game, 73-44. Kyle Singler finished with a double-double, scoring 22 points and gathering 10 rebounds. Jon Scheyer scored 13 points, Lance Thomas had 12 and Nolan Smith scored 10.

The Georgia Tech Yellowjackets dispensed of Oklahoma St.

In a game, fought evenly throughout, Georgia Tech won, 64-39.

Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors scored 14 and 12 points, respectively to lead the Yellowjackets.

In the tightest game of the evening New Mexico State and Michigan State duked it out.

Troy Gillenwater hit a 3-pointer with 21 seconds remaining for New Mexico St. to bring the game within one. Raymar Morgan hit only the front end of his late free throws, but a lane violation gave Mich. St. the ball back. Morgan hit the free throw on his second try.

New Mexico State came up short on its 3-point effort and Michigan State survived.

Duke and Michigan State taking care of business; WIAA Division 1 boy's basketball going Madison Memorial's way

The other two games aren’t as exciting. Duke is taking care of business versus Arkansas- Pine Bluff winning 39-20. Kyle Singler has 13 points, and the Duke defense held the Golden Lions to 25 percent shooting.

Michigan State is also blowing out their opponent. They lead New Mexico State 42-29 lead by Kalin Lucas with 14 points. The Spartans are shooting 56 percent from the field, and the have hit six of 12 from beyond the arc.

The higher seeds should cruise in these games, because the opponents simply do not have the weapons to compete. The lower seeds will have to hope for a miracle, which would include great 3-point shooting and missed shots by the opponent. I don’t see either happening.

For those who are interested, Madison Memorial is crushing Appleton East 61-42 late in the fourth quarter in the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals.