http://www.yardbarker.com/content/team/1035 Recent articles about the Butler Bulldogs en-us After just two seasons, Gary Walters has rebuilt the underachieving Vikings program. Hopefully we can see the type of production in the 70s when the Vikings were able to reach N.I.T. and March Madness. Cleveland State should expect a lot of good things in the future from Walters. He is hoping to build a mid-major program into national prominence like John Calipari has done for Memphis. They do not lose a lot of players for next season. Four of their five starters were underclassmen. Now that Butler has graduated most of their team expect for frosh superstar Matt Howard, the Vikes will be the favorites to win the Horizon League and get their first March Madness berth in the last 20 plus years. Junior leaders Cedric Jackson and J'Nathan Bullock are back and hungry for the respect that this team deserves. Walters has also signed a top 100 recruit for the 2008 class from the 2008 class. Cleveland, come out to watch this team because they are going to bring good things and success to this city. I hope to be blogging more on this team come time for the season, but for now I am out. Sun, 04 May 2008 20:24:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263409 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263409 Since we have a few days until the next game on the schedule, and I am in a continued lazy spell, here are a few links worth looking at from across the internet as we await the Sweet 16 matchups later this week… Tue, 25 Mar 2008 10:46:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/217704 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/217704 Friends, countrymen, countryladies, compatriots, et. al, how many times have you heard a variation of the following questions...."Does this dress make me look fat?" or "Does this shirt make me look like an *sshole?" The FlyMaster would like to add, "does my bracket make me look dumb?" to this list of uncomfortable questions. This morning the FlyMaster rolled over and asked the FlyLady this very question, and the silent response defeaned his tender eardrums. She squirmed, looked at my bracket and uttered these poignantly searing words, "Temple in the Final Four, that's just dumb." Not satisfied, the FlyMaster probed deeper, "but what about the rest of it?" Her responses only became more painful, "USC? G'Town? Oh and the Butler to Elite 8, crafty thinking." That's when the realization hit me like a ton of bricks. It's not my bracket that makes me look dumb, it's me that makes me look dumb. Now comes public humiliation as the rest of the Sportsfly Office Pool Fools come in and make comments on how the FlyMaster is supposed to be the sports expert. Not so much. "Hey FlyMaster, good work on your last place bracket." "Hey FlyMaster, why don't you pick the Women's NCAA Tourney too?" It's going to be a bad day. On another note, learning that it was me that makes me look dumb also provided some insight on the answers to the other questions. No baby, that dress doesn't make you look fat, it's actually that third thigh you've grown and the signature "King of the Hill" gut you sport. That shirt has nothing to do with me looking like an *sshole, it's actually my selfishly petty demeanor and inconsiderate nature that accomplish that feat. Insight is a tough horse pill to swallow, but at least I'm in first place in a league of one when it comes to my 2008 Women's Bracket. FlyMaster Signing Off...For Now! www.sportsfly.com Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:22:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/216527 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/216527 Dan Hopper over at bestweekever.tv offers up some humor for the NCAA tournament, poking fun at his list of ridiculous mascots. Lists the name of the school, team name, logo, a history on the team name, mascot, etc., and a "looks like" review. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 23:22:43 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215861 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215861 Heading into the Second Round of 2008 NCAA Tournament, FIO staff writer Dan Mesday releases his picks for the regional games. Included, find Mesday's personal bracket, as well as some interesting commentary on each match-up. Also find a recap of Days 1 and 2 from the First Round. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:04:25 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215757 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215757 The 10 seed Wildcats of Davidson defeated mighty Georgetown today by 4 points, 74-70 to advance. Meanwhile, in the East region, Tennessee needed overtime to top the Butler Bulldog team. March Madness is truly showing its glory. Sun, 23 Mar 2008 16:22:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215673 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/215673 There were several great games in the first round of this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament and each of the great games has had key players. But who had the best game of the first round and has earned the right to be deemed the "1st Round Workhorse" or most outstanding performance of the first round of the NCAA tournament? Our list of candidates... (see if you agree or have anyone to add) Sat, 22 Mar 2008 00:21:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213747 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213747 Thursday's 1st round games were not as exciting as some people thought they would be. Only 2 lower seeds won (#9 Texas A&M and #11 Kansas State) and the two potential upsets (#14 Georgia over #3 Xavier and #15 Belmont over #2 Duke) were so close too happening, yet so far. So what will the 2nd day of the NCAA Tournament bring us? (10) Davidson vs. (7) Gonzaga In a great Mid-Major matchup, the Davidson Wildcats of the Southern Conference take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs of the West Coast Conference. The Zags have been here before with guys like Jeremy Pargo, Josh Heytvelt and David Pendergraft. Davidson may have the best overall player playing in this game with son of former NBA sharp-shooter Del Curry, Stephen Curry. The younger Curry averages 25 points per game on the season and can be deadly on the outside. If the Wildcats want to win, Stephen Curry has to be on target. If he is not, look for Gonzaga to buckle down and use the experience to advance to the 2nd round. SFB Prediction: Davidson wins 81-77 (10) Saint Mary's vs. (7) Miami (FL) Should this matchup really be happening? The Saint Mary's Gaels, who spent a good portion of the year in the Top 25 get a #10 seed and the Miami Hurricanes, who struggled towards the end of the season, get a #7 seed. Very questionable. But nonetheless, these teams square off for a very interesting matchup. For the Hurricanes, guard Jack McClinton leads the team with about 17 points per game. Saint Mary's is led by point guard Patrick Mills with 14.5 PPG and 3.4 assists per game. Something that is interesting about this game is that the Gaels are not your typical "shoot-the-three" Mid-Major squad. In addition to Mills, they have two solid big men inside with forward Diamon Sampson and center Omar Samhan. So unlike other Mid-Majors, Saint Mary's certainly has the ability to pound it inside. SFB Prediction: Saint Mary's wins 77-69 (12) Western Kentucky vs. (5) Drake The Drake Bulldogs of the Missouri Valley Conference have had a great season finishing the year 28-4 and nationally ranked. Led by point guard Adam Emmenecker, the Bulldogs play a very interesting style of play and have the ability to score the basketball. Josh Young leads the team in scoring and Klayon Korver is deadly from 3-point range. But don't forget about the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, who have a player by the name of Courtney Lee who averages over 20 points per game. The senior stands at 6'5" and will give Drake some matchup problems in this game. SFB Prediction: Drake wins 75-65 (10) South Alabama vs. (7) Butler Here is yet another solid Mid-Major matchup. And again, a question arises with placing the Butler Bulldogs as a #7 seed. But we do have a great matchup here with Butler battling the South Alabama Jaguars, who received an at-large bid out of the Sun Belt Conference. The Bulldogs are led by guards A.J. Graves and Mike Green but they also have a balanced attack with four players averaging over 11 points per game. The Jaguars also have a balance with 4 players averaging over 10 points per game, led by 20-point per game scorer Demetric Bennett. SFB Prediction: Butler wins 88-87 in overtime (11) Saint Joseph's vs. (6) Oklahoma This seems to be the trendy "upset" pick for many sports fans out there with the Saint Joseph's Hawks taking on the Oklahoma Sooners. The Hawks are led by three athletic big men with Pat Calathes, Ahmad Nevins and Rob Ferguson. All three of these players can score inside, outside and run the floor. This is something Oklahoma needs to prepare for if they want to hang with the Hawks. Of course St. Joe's will have to contend with Oklahoma's big men, 6'10" Blake Griffin and 6'11" Longar Longar. The key to this game for either team is to control the pace of the game. As fast-paced game is in the Hawks favor and a slower-paced game is Oklahoma's favor. This should be a great game. SFB Prediction: Saint Joe's wins 73-70 (13) Siena vs. (4) Vanderbilt As said in a previous Blog, this could be the upset of the tournament with the MAAC champion Siena Saints defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores. However, it certainly will not be easy. Vandy has SEC Player of the Year Shan Foster in their corner in addition to 6'11" Aussie B.J. Ogilvy. On the other side, the Saints have sharp-shooters named Kenny Hasbrouck, Tay Fisher and Edwin Ubiles along with forwards Alex Franklin and Josh Duell on the inside. Even if Siena doesn't pull off the upset, this will be a great game to watch. SFB Prediction: Siena wins 85-81 (9) Oregon vs. (8) Mississippi State Again, these #8 vs #9 games are always very competitive on paper. The Ducks have 4 players averaging in double figures in points led by 6'6" guard Malik Hairston. The Bulldogs also have four players scoring in double figures in points including leading scorer Jamont Gordon and sharp-shooting Ben Hansbrough, Tyler's little brother. Look for this game to be action-packed, high-scoring and very exciting. SFB Prediction: Mississippi State wins 79-74 (9) Arkansas vs. (8) Indiana Another "seeding" question comes to mind when we see the Indiana Hoosiers with a #8 seed. Perhaps the NCAA Tournament Committee is sending a message that the Hoosiers can't win without their former head coach Kelvin Sampson. Despite this fact, Indiana is still a great basketball team led by guard Eric Gordon and big man D.J. White. But Arkansas has the sights set on getting to the 2nd round as well. The Razorbacks are led by forward Sonny Weems, who averages over 14 points per game. SFB Prediction: Indiana wins 69-61 (12) Villanova at (5) Clemson The Clemson Tigers finished the season strong making it all the way to the ACC Championship game. Many sports fans believe Clemson to be a potential sleeper team that can take down a #1 seed in the Regional Semi-Final round. Well with a balanced, athletic attack led by 6'6" junior K.C. Rivers, it's not surprising why sports fans are picking this team to go far in the NCAA Tournament. But before the Tigers think about that, they must deal with Villanova Wildcats, who perhaps was the last team to be put into the Field of 65. Villanova is led by sophomore guard Scottie Reynolds, who averages just under 16 points per game. But to win this game, the Wildcats need big games from guys like Dante Cunningham and Shane Clark. SFB Prediction: Clemson wins 77-65 Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:36:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213140 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/213140 A look into our crystal ball revealed some interesting things that will happen as the bracket shakes out and a champion is crowned April 7th in San Antonio. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:43:40 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211208 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211208 A little perspective and rationalization means that suddenly the East Region doesn't look so daunting. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:36:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211189 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211189 On the eve of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, FIO staff writer Dan Mesday releases his picks for the First Round games. Included, find Mesday's personal bracket, as well as some interesting commentary on each match-up. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:01:14 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211098 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/211098 Following up on the success of this column from last year's tourney, FIO staff writer Dan Mesday is back with his guide to helping you fill out those NCAA Tournament brackets. From knowing the mid-majors to explaining the 12 over 5 upset, Mesday lays down 14 rules to know when making your picks for this year. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:18:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/209087 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/209087 It's that time of year again to start filling out those brackets, and FIO staff writer Dan Mesday is here to offer you some possible Bracket Busters for the NCAA Tourney. From the big schools that may bow out early to the small schools that may pull major upsets, here are a few teams to keep in mind this year. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:46:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/207093 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/207093 The Tar Heels were rewarded for their great season with the #1 overall seed in the 2008 Tourney, but the favors stop there. UNC is in the same bracket as a dangerous Indiana team, #2 Tennessee, Washington State, Notre Dame, Butler, and Louisville. That's quite a bracket, as UCLA seemed to get the easiest route to San Antonio. Indiana is a very real second round matchup, and that will be a tough one to handle as DJ White will matchup well with Hansbrough and Eric Gordon is a good player. Tar Heels will have a challenging road to San Antonio this year. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 20:13:49 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/207057 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/207057 How did SportProjections.com do against ESPN.com and CBSSportsline.com in their NCAA College Basketball tournament picks? Should you continue reading Yardbarker and their contributors or are the top sport sites the best spot for sports? You'll be surprised to see how we did against the "Big Boys". Visit each team page to get the latest headlines from local newspapers and the best bloggers on the web. If you're a fan of a smaller school that doesn't have a group on our site please add your team and rss feeds for the team. Please send me a message at http://www.sportprojections.com/profile/ChrisFry if you have any question. Sun, 16 Mar 2008 20:23:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/204048 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/204048