New focus for Bulldogs
Mar 11, 2007 2:42:16 GMT -5
Post by Admin on Mar 11, 2007 2:42:16 GMT -5
www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070311/SPORTS0605/703110406
New focus for Bulldogs
Low preseason expectations have been replaced by NCAA seed questions
By David Woods
david.woods@indystar.com
Four months ago, the question concerning Butler basketball was: Will the Bulldogs have a winning season?
Today's question: Where will they be seeded in the NCAA Tournament?
It is a given that the 19th-ranked Bulldogs (27-6) will receive an at-large bid, something unimaginable after they were picked sixth in the Horizon League.
Although the Bulldogs lost four of their final eight games -- including the league championship to Wright State -- their resume is stronger than it was when they received an at-large spot in 2003.
"Other teams aren't talking about their seeds. They're talking about being in the tournament," coach Todd Lickliter said. "So it's a compliment to these guys that you mention the seeds."
Through Friday's games, Butler was 30th in Ratings Percentage Index. RPI is used to help select and seed the NCAA field.
Butler's three Conseco Fieldhouse victories have been ruled as being on a neutral court, which will boost its RPI slightly. Among teams in the RPI top 50, Butler is No. 7 in record away from home (14-4) and No. 8 in record against the top 100 (9-4).
The Bulldogs' late swoon might drop them to a No. 7, 8 or 9 seed, which could pit them against a No. 1 or 2 seed if they survive the first round. That makes the Final Four in Atlanta seem distant. Then again, so was New York before Butler advanced there and won November's NIT Season Tip-off.
"We don't care what seed or who we play," guard/forward Julian Betko said. "If you want to get to Atlanta, you've got to beat everybody.
"What's the point of going to the tournament with limited goals? We can't say, 'Let's get to Sweet Sixteen and see what happens.' . . . We just want to get a seed. What number is pretty irrelevant at this point."
Betko, who missed two years because of knee injuries, is waiting to hear the outcome of his appeal for another season. The 23-year-old Slovakian might return in 2007-08.
This is it for Brandon Crone. The senior was in high school when Butler reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2003.
"I really don't care about seeding. It's been three years here where I haven't got in the tournament," Crone said. "So we're excited to get in the tournament and try to make the same run that the 2003 team did."
No one connected with Butler's program has blamed fatigue for failures.
If the Bulldogs had been worn out, Lickliter said, they would have been blown out. Instead, losses to Southern Illinois, Loyola and Wright State were by four, four and five points.
Those winners came up with a few more plays than Butler, Crone said.
"I know that sounds simple. But honestly, that's what happened," he said. "I don't think it comes down to being tired. Just maybe a little bit of a lack of focus.
"We were so good at the beginning of the year with focus and kept going. If anything, it'd probably be that."
Call Star Reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195.
New focus for Bulldogs
Low preseason expectations have been replaced by NCAA seed questions
By David Woods
david.woods@indystar.com
Four months ago, the question concerning Butler basketball was: Will the Bulldogs have a winning season?
Today's question: Where will they be seeded in the NCAA Tournament?
It is a given that the 19th-ranked Bulldogs (27-6) will receive an at-large bid, something unimaginable after they were picked sixth in the Horizon League.
Although the Bulldogs lost four of their final eight games -- including the league championship to Wright State -- their resume is stronger than it was when they received an at-large spot in 2003.
"Other teams aren't talking about their seeds. They're talking about being in the tournament," coach Todd Lickliter said. "So it's a compliment to these guys that you mention the seeds."
Through Friday's games, Butler was 30th in Ratings Percentage Index. RPI is used to help select and seed the NCAA field.
Butler's three Conseco Fieldhouse victories have been ruled as being on a neutral court, which will boost its RPI slightly. Among teams in the RPI top 50, Butler is No. 7 in record away from home (14-4) and No. 8 in record against the top 100 (9-4).
The Bulldogs' late swoon might drop them to a No. 7, 8 or 9 seed, which could pit them against a No. 1 or 2 seed if they survive the first round. That makes the Final Four in Atlanta seem distant. Then again, so was New York before Butler advanced there and won November's NIT Season Tip-off.
"We don't care what seed or who we play," guard/forward Julian Betko said. "If you want to get to Atlanta, you've got to beat everybody.
"What's the point of going to the tournament with limited goals? We can't say, 'Let's get to Sweet Sixteen and see what happens.' . . . We just want to get a seed. What number is pretty irrelevant at this point."
Betko, who missed two years because of knee injuries, is waiting to hear the outcome of his appeal for another season. The 23-year-old Slovakian might return in 2007-08.
This is it for Brandon Crone. The senior was in high school when Butler reached the Sweet Sixteen in 2003.
"I really don't care about seeding. It's been three years here where I haven't got in the tournament," Crone said. "So we're excited to get in the tournament and try to make the same run that the 2003 team did."
No one connected with Butler's program has blamed fatigue for failures.
If the Bulldogs had been worn out, Lickliter said, they would have been blown out. Instead, losses to Southern Illinois, Loyola and Wright State were by four, four and five points.
Those winners came up with a few more plays than Butler, Crone said.
"I know that sounds simple. But honestly, that's what happened," he said. "I don't think it comes down to being tired. Just maybe a little bit of a lack of focus.
"We were so good at the beginning of the year with focus and kept going. If anything, it'd probably be that."
Call Star Reporter David Woods at (317) 444-6195.