2011 NCAA Tournament Preview: The Butler Bulldogs

The Butler Bulldogs (23-9) won the Horizon Conference Tournament and will be returning to the NCAA Tournament. Last season the Bulldogs made it to the NCAA Final where they lost to Duke in a close contest. Butler is on a nine game winning streak after losing three straight. The Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA Tournament ten times and have a 13-10 record in the Big Dance.

Why Butler is dangerous in the Tournament?

The Bulldogs could be dangerous because they went to the finals last season. Even though Butler is a mid major team, they have tournament experience and have a winning record in the Big Dance. Butler played big time competition. They lost to Louisville , Duke, and Xavier. The Bulldogs defeated Stanford , Utah , Florida State , and Washington State . Butler has played teams from the big conferences and has tournament experience. The Bulldogs are poised to have another Cinderella run.

Reasons Old Dominion may not be successful in the Tournament

Butler suffered a disappointing loss to Evansville and five Horizon conferences losses. The Bulldogs enter the tournament with nine losses. Butler does not appear to be as good as last year's team.

Butler Leaders

The Bulldogs are led by 6'7" senior forward Matt Howard. Howard has averaged a team high 16.8 points per game while grabbing 7.9 rebounds per game. Junior guard Shelvin Mack has averaged 15.3 points per games for the Bulldogs.

Outlook

Butler has proven they are capable to be a Cinderella team anytime they are in the tournament. The Bulldogs might get a higher seed based on being last season's runner up. However, no team is going to take Butler lightly. Butler should provide a challenge to any team they meet in the tournament. Butler may not be the same as last year's team; however they are capable of making a run into the NCAA Tournament.

Sources:

Fox Sports for records and stats