NCAA – Butler and UConn advance to title showdown

HOUSTON (NCAA) - The Butler Bulldogs made a stunning run to the NCAA Final one year ago and fell in the last seconds to the Duke Blue Devils.

On Monday night, the Indiana school will try to go one step more when taking on the University of Connecticut Huskies.

Butler, an eighth seed in this year's tournament, ended the dream run of Virginia Commonwealth on Saturday, winning 70-62 with Shelvin Mack's 24 points and six rebounds leading the way.

VCU, who got 26 points from Jamie Skeen, had needed to win a ‘First Four’ game just to advance to the 64-team field.

Big East champions UConn booked their place in the NCAA Championship with a 56-55 triumph over Kentucky.

Kemba Walker had 18 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the Huskies.

Kentucky had the ball with a chance to tie or go in front but DeAndre Liggins ended up missing a long three-pointer in the waning seconds while being closely guarded.

"I should have drove it," Liggins said. "It was a good shot, but it fell short."

With history as a judge, the UConn Huskies will win because it's been more than 20 years since a college outside the power conferences of the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, PAC-10 and Big East have won the title.

Butler, a tiny school in Indianapolis, are in the Horizon League.

"There are a lot of reasons to say you can't, but it's a lot more fun to say you can," Butler coach Brad Stevens said.

"It's a lot more fun to believe."

FIBA