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Strange: Butler a major threat in mid-major disguise
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The classic basketball movie “Hoosiers” was filmed in Hinkle Fieldhouse, the gym they use every day.
Watch them trot onto the court before a game and you’d almost swear they could be Hickory High School, come to life off the screen.
Ten of their 14 players, including four starters, are white. Except for the stubble on guard A.J. Graves’ chin their hairstyles suggest the 1950s.
Nine of them are true Hoosiers, products of hoops-mad Indiana high schools.
If he weren’t in a suit, their rookie coach, 31-year-old Brad Stevens, would be mistaken for a student manager.
But don’t be fooled by appearances.
In the month of March, you don’t want any part of the Butler Bulldogs.
Tennessee, like it or not, has 40 minutes of Butler today in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
For all it has accomplished in a magical season, UT has landed in a precarious spot today.
Sunlight reduces a vampire to dust. The world’s strongest man can be laid low by the wrong mosquito. Think where Pacman Jones might be if he could avoid strip joints.
For Tennessee basketball, the booby trap wire has been Mid-Majors.
The Vols’ March history is littered with stumbles over teams from the so-called Mid-Major level of the game.
It started in 1976, when the “Ernie & Bernie Show” (minus an injured Bernie) was shut down by VMI.
The Jerry Green Era was the worst. Tennessee was eliminated by Illinois State in 1998, routed by Southwest Missouri State in 1999, put out of its misery by UNC-Charlotte in 2001.
Even Bruce Pearl’s first season was brought to a premature second-round close by Wichita State in 2005.
Butler has 4,400 students on its Indianapolis campus. But along with Gonzaga, one might argue, it has transcended Mid-Majordom. Both beat the big boys with such regularity it’s no longer an upset.
Butler first made March Madness waves in 2001, ousting Wake Forest. Two years later the Bulldogs beat Mississippi State and Louisville here in Birmingham to reach the Sweet 16.
In 2007, a second-round win over Maryland propelled them to another Sweet 16. Earlier that season, Butler swept Indiana, Notre Dame, Tennessee and Gonzaga to win the Preseason NIT.
This year, Butler swept Michigan, Virginia Tech and Texas Tech to win the Great Alaska Shootout.
But the Bulldogs aren’t the least bit insulted at being called a Mid-Major.
“That’s what we are,’’ Graves, one of five seniors, said Saturday. “That’s the label we’re stuck with.
“We’re indifferent to it. I think sometimes we embrace it.’’
Pearl embraced it when he was at Wisconsin-Milwaukee, competing with Butler in the Horizon League.
“I was proud of the Mid-Major tag,’’ said Pearl. “Because it separated you a little bit from the … high majors or the BCS conferences.
“And that didn’t mean we couldn’t play with them.’’
Success has taken coaches from Butler to the BCS schools, but the system carries on. They proudly call it “The Butler Way’’ and it’s why the school promotes from within.
“They run pretty much exactly what they’ve run for years and years with four or five coaches,’’ said UT assistant coach Jason Shay, who assembled the scouting report for today’s game.
It still works. Pete Campbell went 8-of-10 from 3-point range Friday as the Bulldogs overpowered South Alabama.
Campbell is a 6-7 crew-cut senior from Muncie, Ind. In other words, a taller Jimmy Chitwood from the movie.
Saturday, I apologetically asked him about “Hoosiers,” expecting him to roll his eyes. Instead, his eyes lit up. He told me he never tires of talking about it.
“I live down the street so I can walk to Hinkle Fieldhouse and go shoot in that gym by myself every day,’’ he said.
“I’ve been at Butler for three years and I have never taken it for granted. It’s a special place and it certainly adds to the Butler mystique.’’
That’s more or less Tennessee’s job today. Avoid adding to the Butler mystique.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by anthony on March 22, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mid-Major coach(formerly that is) versus a Mid-Majaor team. Sounds pretty fair to me. My guys against your guys. Bring it on!!!
Posted by dfreeman on March 22, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we just ask for once for a story that might blow sunshine up UT's rear?? Do we constantly have to get hit with positive crap about the other team while consistantly being slammed by the negative to ours? KNS I don't mind these stories if it doesn't always seem like you are performing a "special" service to the coaches of the other team!! Talk about our team, we get enough about Butler through the national media!!
Posted by 1974Vol on March 22, 2008 at 11:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keys to Vol victory. Defend the 3 line, fight through screens, dominate the O boards, make Butler 3 misses one and done. On "O" bang it down low and play volley ball off the boards until it goes down.
Posted by Grim1 on March 23, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
this a repost by me from a forum I post at.....
Foster for Vandy is gone....Gaines is gone for GA.......well.. so are Lofton, Howell, JaJuan, MAYBE Chism..MAYBE Crews..MAYBE Ramar and Tyler....that is 7 possible Vols gone for next year..as of right now Bruce has 2 kick ass players coming in next year....and 2 doesn't replace a possible 7 gone....again...a rebuilding year in basketball too IF the underclassmen leave....Tennessee needs a BIG man to go with the run and shoot Bruce brings to the team...Right now the Vols are a 3 point shooting team....that is all...they really have no threat on the inside.....IF they can get a big man that can bring in the threat of an easy dunk for 2 that will open up the 3 point range better because other teams will have to worry about covering in the paint as well as in the arch...no 3 point shot...get it to the BIG man for an easy 2..that is what we need.....Will the Vols make it to the big dance next year? sure...but they will be a 5 or 6 seed...Miss. ST will win the SEC next year and the Vols will fall behind KY in the east.
I watched UNC play and was not impressed...I seen UCLA play..and was not impressed....UT can take them...but only when they are READY to take them.....and in the past few weeks...UT isn't ready.....and I don't know if Bruce's yelling and screaming can make them ready.
in the American game UT tried WAY too much to showboat and even when Bruce got on them about that...THEY TRIED IT AGAIN!!!!
if the game was going to be a blow out...sure...show off...but in a 2 point game...YOU DON"T TRY TO ALLY OOP OVER AND OVER!!!
and where were the fans? They played in Alabama for hell's sake and EVERYBODY was cheering for America...DAMN
Can Tennessee beat Butler...hell yeah....will they win...I THINK they will..BUT they need to drop the chip on their shoulder about the whole number 1 seed thing.....they lost that when the Gamecocks almost beat them..even if they won the SEC tounery. The way they played...number 2 is what they deserved.
They need to remember who they are..a Great Team coached by Bruce Pearl..the same team that beat Gonzaga, Xavier, Vandy, Florida, Kentucky, Miss.ST., Georgia, Western Kentucky, and more.....and they did it all WITHOUT a #1 seed.
Posted by BillVol on March 23, 2008 at 2:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We are going to crush these little mid-major punks tomorrow.
Posted by calivol on March 23, 2008 at 3:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry Grim, you lost me by the first sentence. In what world are Wayne Chism, Duke Crews and Ramar Smith even CONSIDERING going pro?
Posted by Volborn on March 23, 2008 at 7:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think Ramar, Crews or Chism is ready for the pros. No way they get drafted! When they can consistently dominate SEC opponents, maybe. Ramar cant shoot. Chism and Crews have work to do and Bruce will make them better. Look how much better they are this year compared to last.
Tyler is a different story. He is the best player we've had in the paint since Dale Ellis, but I think he stays too. For at least 1 more year anyway. He lost his dad 6 months ago and I think Pearl and the rest of the coaching staff give him the support he needs for a while longer. He won't find that in the NBA. Not to mention, he has dreamed of being a Volunteer...I don't think he wants to leave so soon. Maybe just wishfull thinking on my part.
Speaking of Dale Ellis, has anyone heard if he will ever come back to UT? I've heard there is some resentment there on his part, but Pearl has mended many fences since taking over. Hopefully, he will get the "welcome home" he deserves in the near future.
Posted by King53 on March 23, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Grim1....have no fear. Chism, Crews, Ramar AND Tyler will all be wearing orange next year. Book It!!! Tyler said he will play at least two years for Tennessee a couple of months back. As for the rest of the guys you mentioned...well I like them but they are not ready for the next level. They are all too inconsistent from game to game. another off season and a solid year next year may be a different story for Chism, but I think Crews and Ramar are both four year guys for the Vols.
Posted by jcorange98 on March 23, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
loosing j howell will improve ut, 3 pt shooting percentage will skyrocket, lofton is not a legit pro...no defense, cant run point, maybe a role player late in game for a three, if u cant even guard bad players u cant play in nba, chism is too soft, crews is too short for center, too slow for forward, r smith has tools, t smith is legit slasher
Posted by tennesseekilt on March 23, 2008 at 9:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't have a good feeling about this game...
Posted by garyfmtn on March 23, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am more worried about this game than any other that UT has played thus far......I got this gut feeling when the brackets were announced last week......I think the Vols, if they are ready have the potential to beat Butler bad, BUT, if they play like they have the past month, they very possibly could get beat and beat badly.....Go Vols, PLEASE beat Butler.....
Posted by General_Watermelon on March 23, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Toughest road to the Final 4 will end today. Butler is too good and much better than their #7 seed. Hope I'm wrong.
Lofton is a great shooter who is having an off year by his standards. He has learned how to take the ball to the hoop against much taller players and has a really good floater. However, he over plays on defense, gets burned backdoor all the time, and is generally too slow.
Howell's bad shooting slump really killed this team. When he was on early in the year, he took pressure off Lofton and JaJuan. Now is more of a liability than an asset. JP Prince is not the answer at point guard althogh I do like his abililty to defend with the long arm span. He creates matchup problems for opponents. He also has zero outside game. His and Ramar Smith's game of driving to the basket is great, but when they get fouled and sent to the free throw line and miss, it is like a turnover. Tyler Smith is by far and away the best player on this team. I like Jajuan Smith too. While he is a little inconsistent at times, he and Tyler Smith have been the glue to the Vols great season in my opinion. Chism can be a difference if he decides to play, but he often wants to play guard instead of center / power forward. It will take an extra sensational effort today to prove me wrong. Betler plays better as a team and will win by 10.
Posted by General_Watermelon on March 23, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tyler is the only underclassman on the team that has a legit chance of making the NBA today although I think he would be better off with at least one more year under his belt. Chism needs to improve his game. Ramar Smith was better as a Freshmen. No way is Crews ready. The early trouble and heart condition lay off hurt him too.
Posted by General_Watermelon on March 23, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Among Srs. Lofton will not play in the NBA. JaJuan Smith will play in the NBA. JaJuan has not gotten the credit for his play for over a year. He's the real deal and is quick enough, good enough defender, shooter, with good court sense and jumping ability, and passer to make a quality NBA player.
Posted by Plasticman on March 23, 2008 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Grim1, who do you expect AL people to cheer for?? You know they're not going to cheer for UT, even if we're playing the Russians. Everyone in that arena today , outside of UT faithful that are there, will be pulling for Butler. It will be like a road game for the Vols. Let's hope we're up to the task.
Posted by Plasticman on March 23, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Athletically, we should be able to dominate this game. Whether we will or not is yet to be seen. Vols need to OWN the boards and keep pressure on Graves. I hope to see Tabb on him quite a bit today. Chsim must come up big and Williams and Crews need to give us some good minutes oof the bench. I'm getting pumped up!
Posted by DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu on March 23, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
JCOrange, General Fritter -- I agree that Tyler and MAYBE Jajuan are the only players an NBA team would seriously look at currently.
I'm already looking at next year, trying to pick out my 10-man rotation. We've had a great run with these seniors -- can't wait to see if this Jurick kid is the real deal so we can maybe build a legitimate inside game.
Think Chism, Tyler and Woolridge at the 3-5 spots, rotating in Crews, Jurick and Williams. Maybe Tabb, Tatum, Ramar and JP rotating at the 1-2 spots.
We currently have 7 underclassmen listed as guards. Maybe we can find a real point guard spark plug in there.
And recruiting ain't over. Maybe BP can work some more magic out there and bring in some real playmakers.
Posted by elmovol on March 23, 2008 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We're going to kick their Butler all the way back to Indiana!
Posted by johnlg00 on March 23, 2008 at 11:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some good posts today. No question we have our hands full today. The whole country expects us to lose. I hope the Vols DO come out with the chip-on-the-shoulder, us-against-the-world attitude that took them to such great heights in the first two-thirds of the season. This is truly a defining moment for this program. If they get by Butler in competent, if not dominating, fashion, I think we have a good chance to go all the way to San Antonio. If they crumble under the pressure, this will always be known as the "what-might-have-been" UT team of all time. GO VOLS!!! BEAT BUTLER!!! ON TO SAN ANTONIO!!!
Posted by colonelangus on March 23, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Strange, what difference does it make how many of Butler's players are white?
Posted by SFOrange on March 23, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
don't be fooled by the seedings (2/7) UT is the underdog today--to a school with a winning tradition in the NCAAs. win today and landscape changes for Tennessee basketball, lose and it'll be a flat ending to a great year. UT 77 Butler 74
Posted by SFOrange on March 23, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
don't be fooled by the seedings (2/7) UT is the underdog today--to a school with a winning tradition in the NCAAs. win today and landscape changes for Tennessee basketball, lose and it'll be a flat ending to a great year. UT 77 Butler 74
Posted by johnlg00 on March 23, 2008 at 12:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
colonelangus, I think that was stated in carrying on his comparison of Butler to the high-school team in "Hoosiers", which, IIRC, was all white.
BTW, IIRC again, we have already signed a point guard from Chicago(?) for next year. A player with a true point-guard mind/skill-set can play effectively as a freshman. The team will be strong next year even if Tyler goes pro. I'm afraid I can't take too seriously what he said a couple of months ago about playing two years at UT. It is not that he was lying then, it's just that if he gets an evaluation that he is NBA first-round draft material, he will change his mind. The money for a first-round pick is just too good for any player in his right mind to pass up, given the possibility of injury or a down year eroding his draft position in a subsequent college season. I HOPE he stays another year, but we shouldn't be too hard on him if he decides to go pro under the conditions I listed above. That is an iron that MUST be struck while it is hot. I would be SHOCKED if any of the other underclassmen decided to go out early. I agree that JaJuan has better pro potential than Chris. In any case, let's worry about next year AFTER this season is over--let's just hope that doesn't happen today! GO VOLS!!! BEAT BUTLER!!! ON TO SAN ANTONIO!!!
Posted by Plasticman on March 23, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Although I think he's a great player, Until Tyler shows he can shoot from the outside consistently, I do not see him as a 1st round NBA selection. Before this season, I thought Ramar would develop into a potential NBA player, but I'm not too sure now. JuJuan is the most athletic but his size will hurt him.
Posted by 1974Vol on March 23, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Vols have better overall talent, but lack the tourney winning tradition. BP earns his pay check today with Vol win.
Posted by kimzy1961 on March 23, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
To all VOL FANS!,
Right now Tennessee is losing by 7 to Dayton in the Tournament!
Huh!?. . . I guess some of you are asking yourselves , "What is this guy smoking?". We're not playing Dayton and the game hasn't started yet!
Let me explain. . . .
CBSportsline.com is sponsoring an Essay contest set up like the basketball tournament, pitting representatives from teams that made it into the NCAA Tourney. awVols1985 was chosen by the tournament admin. to write for the VOLS and is doing a great job of it. But. . ..
He needs your help! There is no cost . . . You don't have to register . . . You don't even have to vote for him if you don't think he deserves the vote. . . But you do have to find the sight and I'm providing a link to the official explanation of the contest and 1 directly to his essay page.
Let's help keep TENNESSEE in the national limelight by helping awVols1985 advance to the round of 16.
Vote NOW ! ! !
Vote AWVOLS1985 ! ! !
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The explanation : http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/message....
awVols1985's sight: http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/message....
Thanks for your time and vote!
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