NCAA Title Preview: Butler vs. Connecticut

FREE $25 when you Join Now –Use your Free $25 to get a FREE Pick!

Stories

Sports news with a Vegas perspective.

Type:

Joinless
Created On:

09/07/2011 10:47 PM
Last Update:

Today - 8:49 AM

NCAA Title Preview: Butler vs. Connecticut

04/04/2011 8:19 AM · Mike Hook

BULLDOGS: Butler has pulled off the improbable feat of back to back National Championship appearances. The last thing the Bulldogs should be considered is a Cinderella. Because they play in a mid-major, and because of their overall seeding, far too many people consider them exactly that. Butler is the 1st team seeded worse than #6 to play in the Championship game in 26 years.

The Bulldogs outlasted VCU 70-62 in the National Semi-Final. Butler has been the listed underdog in each NCAA Tournament game besides the VCU game. The Bulldogs are 28-9 SU and 20-13-2 ATS overall this season. Butler is 9-1 SU and a perfect 10-0 ATS in neutral court situations this season. The Bulldogs are 8-1 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Butler is 12-2 ATS in non-conference games this year. The Bulldogs are 6-5 ATS when playing with 48 hours or less in between contests.

F Matt Howard has been outstanding all season long for Butler, as he's the glue that holds his team together. Howard averages team highs of 16.7 PPG and 7.8 RPG this season. Howard needs to stay out of foul trouble tonight for the Bulldogs to have a legitimate shot at winning the National Championship. G Shelvin Mack is the floor general for Butler, as he averages 16.1 PPG and a team high 3.5 APG this season. Butler will have to play their best defense of the season to beat UCONN tonight. Coach Stevens appears to be the wildcard tonight, as he's more than capable of devising a game plan to neutralize Kemba Walker. The Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU win. Butler is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games following an ATS win. The Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games overall. Butler is 22-4-2 ATS in their last 28 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%. The Bulldogs are 18-5 ATS in their last 23 NCAA Tournament games. Butler is 41-16-2 ATS in their last 59 non-conference games. The Bulldogs are 23-6 ATS in their last 29 neutral site games as the listed underdog. Butler is 27-11 ATS in their last 38 neutral site games.Bulldogs are 7-0 ATS last 7 NCAA Tournament games as the listed underdog.
Over is 4-1 last 5 games against the Big East Conference.

HUSKIES: (-3, O/U 129) UCONN has been a team of destiny ever since their amazing run through the Big East Conference Tournament. The Huskies won 5 games SU in 5 days to take the Big East Championship, showing a resolve that few teams in the nation have. Since the end of the regular season, the Huskies have won 10 consecutive games SU, including 9-1 ATS. UCONN is 31-9 SU and 22-12 ATS overall this season. The Huskies are 13-0 SU and 12-1 ATS in neutral court settings this season. UCONN is 6-8 ATS as a single digit favorite this season. The Huskies are 9-1 ATS in non-conference games this year. UCONN is 8-3 ATS with 48 hours or less between games this year.

The Huskies have the luxury of having the best player on the floor tonight in G Kemba Walker. Walker in an elite talent who can single handily take a game over. Walker leads UCONN in scoring and assists this season, averaging 23.7 PPG and 4.6 APG. F Jeremy Lamb has really matured during the NCAA Tournament, as he's turned into a viable 2nd scoring threat for the Huskies. For the season, Lamb is averaging 11.1 PPG and 4.4 RPG for UCONN. The Huskies are one of the most dominant rebounding teams in the country, as they average 39.6 RPG, 11th most in the nation. The Huskies are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall. UCONN is 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games against a team with a winning SU record. The Huskies are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS win. UCONN is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games as the listed favorite. The Huskies are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 NCAA Tournament games. UCONN is 27-9 ATS in their last 36 games following a SU win.Huskies are 10-1 ATS last 11 non-conference games.
Under is 5-1 last 6 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600%

Projected score: Butler 66, U Conn 64

Related: Pick from Doug Gottlieb [ESPN]

Movie Video pick from Marco D'Angelo [Pregame.tv]

Comment . . .

What do you think will be the key handicapping factor tonight?

Topics: Connecticut NCAA Tournament Betting CBB butler

Mike Hook

I have been capping games since i was 16 years old. I have always had a fondness towards numbers and sports. In fact, besides my family, those two things are my life. I played professional golf for 6 years... Read more