Can the Bulldogs upset the March Madness Odds again in 2008 and reach the Sweet Sixteen?
The Butler Bulldogs would love to have a repeat of their 2007 season where they finished atop the Horizon League standings and made it to the sweet sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs are halfway there having repeated as Horizon League regular season champions. Posting single digits in the loss column for the last two years has made Butler a tasty college basketball moneyline betting option.
First-year head coach Brad Stevens has three starters from the 2007 team including the formidable backcourt of Mike Green and A.J. Graves. The dynamic duo picked up where they left off last season and once again led the Bulldogs in offense. The biggest surprise this season has been the impact of freshman forward Matt Howard. The 6’8” freshman became an immediate frontcourt presence for the Bulldogs and even led the team in scoring for stretches this season.
One knock against Butler entering the tournament could be their soft regular season schedule. The lack of games against ranked opponents could affect their preparation for the tournament when all their opponents will be tough.
The Horizon League has emerged in the last couple seasons as a competitive basketball conference. A Horizon League team has made it to the Sweet Sixteen in three of the last five Tournaments with Butler doing it twice in 2003 and 2007. 2007 saw two Horizon League teams in the NCAA Tournament and based on the league’s continued growth and success 2008 might see two teams advance in the Tournament.
